It's hard to imagine how a person feels knowing their life will come to an end in a specific period of time. For one man, he was filled with concern for his family's future.
Jeff McKnight was a 36-year-old molecular biologist at the University of Oregon. He was first diagnosed with hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) just months ago. HSTCL is a fast-acting cancer that grows in the liver and the spleen and causes unbearably high fevers.
After Jeff's diagnosis, the family moved to Seattle. There, he received treatment that aimed to extend his final days and make them comfortable. As he faced the end, Jeff thought primarily of his wife, Laura, and their 8-year-old daughter, Katherine.
Worried about the difficulties they'd face after his death, Jeff started trying to make arrangements for the two. Among his arrangements was a GoFundMe page to help with financial hardships.
Jeff created the GoFundMe, sharing it a few times before his death on October 4. It wasn't until he tweeted the link that Laura learned of her husband's selfless final effort.
A man with a tremendous love for his family showed that this was the only thing on his mind, down to the very end. Jeff McKnight was a 36-year-old molecular biologist at the University of Oregon. Six months ago, Jeff got the news that would change his family forever.
Jeff was diagnosed with hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL). The fast-acting cancer grows in the liver and the spleen and causes unbearably high fevers. Jeff began a difficult fight, but the cancer became resistant to chemotherapy.
The family moved to Seattle in mid-July. The doctors believed a treatment would extend Jeff's life some and keep his symptoms at bay. The move was expensive, but the family got help from a GoFundMe page set up by a colleague. Between then and now, it has raised over $200,000.
On September 30, the family received the crushing news that Jeff's time on earth was coming to an end. The next day, doctors told him he had about a week left.
It's hard to imagine what goes through a person's mind when they get news like that. For Jeff, his thoughts were only of his family.
Less than an hour after tweeting out the upsetting news, Jeff sprung into action. He created another GoFundMe page to help Laura and their daughter, Katherine, make it through the difficult time.
"I am dying of lymphoma. My wife, Laura, has been nothing but a hero during this time. She is about to lose two incomes (mine and hers) as she manages and does research in a lab we shared together," he wrote.
"My life insurance is tiny thanks to academia and our savings are nearly nonexistent," Jeff continued.
"My biggest fear is that she won't have resources to get up on her feet. Please consider supporting her through my absence."
Behind the scenes, Jeff was also working on securing Laura new employment. She had no idea he was working on any of these things. She found out about the GoFundMe after seeing Jeff tweet it out.
"Jeff raising money for us shows what a caring husband and father he is. I am thankful for everyone who contributed – not just because it gives me the ability to figure things out with less stress, but because it has provided comfort to him, knowing he helped me and Katherine," she shared.
"So thank you, all of you. The peace of mind you've given Jeff, and the space you've given me to grieve and heal, are things I will always be grateful for," she continued.
"I know many people don't have these luxuries and I will never forget this kindness."
Jeff died on October 4. He made it to celebrate Katherine's eighth birthday, which they planned to do a few days early after learning of his limited time.
His loss has been deeply felt by so many, but so has the greatness of his life. Among Jeff's preparations, he made sure friends were there to be by Laura's side in the immediate aftermath.
"Apparently Jeff asked friends of ours to accompany me back home because he was worried about me," she shared.
"Driving back without him and entering an empty house seemed really daunting, and now I learn that he anticipated that for me. I could not have asked for a better partner. I miss him."
Laura posted an update to the GoFundMe Jeff started this week. She informed those who were unaware of his death and thanked everyone for their generosity, as it has amassed over $400,000.
"Everyone has been so generous, thank you. If you haven't already heard, Jeff passed away a week ago. His loss is felt so deeply by his family, his friends, and our community," Laura wrote.
"I also learned that I will not be unemployed, at least not right away. There are some financial logistics considering I can't work full time while school is virtual, so your donations are still appreciated and are giving me time and space to figure things out.
"Thank you for caring about my family. It meant so much to Jeff to be able to raise this money, you gave him the gift of peace of mind in his last days and I will be forever grateful for that."
"I found out recently that he had reached out to at least a few other scientists about the possibility of me finding jobs at other institutions when I'm ready," Laura told Today.
"He was always looking out for people, though I couldn't have predicted the extent to which he tried to make plans for me and Katherine. I am grateful, and amazed, and not even really surprised because it's the kind of person he was, but at the same time it hurts to think about because it shows how much I've lost."
Professionally, Jeff was known as the kind of person who loved his field as fiercely as the people in it. He was known to advocate for his students, and he was always available to help them. In his honor, the University of Oregon's Institute of Molecular Biology established the Jeff McKnight Memorial Fund, which "will be used to recognize and support graduate students demonstrating resilience in the face of challenge," according to its website.
Jeff's loved ones gathered for a Zoom memorial. It's not what you picture when remembering a loved one, but Laura found it comforting nonetheless:
"I complain about Zoom a lot, but we had a Zoom memorial for Jeff today and it was really lovely and special. I don't think we would have brought so many people together, from different parts of Jeff's life, pre-pandemic. I think this is a 2020 thing that can stick around."
