March 2024 Update - Direct from Jared
*** Thanks to everyone who stepped up for me in 2023! It means so much that I never had to take this campaign live. Just through messaging a few friends, UH colleagues, and family members, I made it through the end last year and successfully started work again this month. Thank you all - truly.
If you’re here in spring 2024, you can read up on the original announcement below. It has not been changed. Of course I have changed and for the better. Thank you for the encouragement and for helping keep me that way by supporting the cost of my final out-of-pocket Arcalyst injection.***
🎙 Let's Rally for Our Good Friend and Favorite Announcer! 📣
Ladies and gentlemen, Coog fans, and all-around champions of positivity, it’s time to come together and show support for our friend who’s voice echoes through our stadiums and arenas! He knows a thing or two about comeback wins and now needs our help for one of his own.
🏆 Picture this: It’s the 9th Inning, Set 5, or seconds left in the 4th Quarter… An unmistakable voice fills the atmosphere with excitement and sets us up for a win! For years, he has done exactly that, being a voice (literally!) for our program, a listening ear to share a meal with, a helpful advisor and mentor in our times of need, or simply a good laugh or positive vibe.
For all of 2023, Jared (more commonly known by his last name - Gogets) has faced an unexpected health situation, fighting through recurrent inflammation of his pericardium (the membrane surrounding the heart). What started in 2022 as random chest pains led to an entire year of disruptions and a longer recovery than expected. Yet in the face of adversity, Jared has remained positive and refused defeat.
See Twitter (“X”) for entire post…
It’s been a long, competitive game. Now it’s time for us to come out of the bullpen and help him close out the win!
This fundraising campaign, aptly named "Cardiac Comeback” will raise our spirits, and the funds needed to help ensure our friend is victorious!
🌟 So, how can you help? 🌟
1️⃣ Donate Directly Here:
It took countless urgent care trips, an ER visit, and many hours with a specialist to even diagnose JG’s problem. By the time pericarditis was named the guilty culprit in June, he was unable to work and without health insurance. Through multiple reoccurrences, his treatment plan has been successful but very costly and almost entirely out-of-pocket. Jared was prepared for a 6 month emergency but not one that lasted over a year. His depleted HSA and personal savings now leave him vulnerable to future health issues.
The top priority of this fundraiser is to position him for success in those areas by assisting with everyday costs until he’s back to work in January. Consider this a true call to the bullpen to give our starting pitcher some much needed relief.
*Donations can be made on this page, or for Jared to receive it faster, use Zelle - connected to jjgogets@gmail.com. Just send us a note that you used Zelle and we’ll add your name to the list on this site.
2️⃣ Reach Out:
Gogets is extroverted! We all know this. If you ask him he’ll say the absolute worst part of 2023 was not spending time with his friends and community!
In fact, he already has December 23rd (the annual Fesitivus day he dedicates to his friends) circled on his calendar - “There will be a Festivus. Push me out in a wheelchair if you must, but we will not cancel Festivus.” Calls, texts, letters, visits etc. are all welcomed until then.
We hope to see you on Saturday, December 23rd at The One Armed Scissor in downtown Houston to celebrate Festivus 2023! Further details will be announced 🔜.
3️⃣ Meals and Supplies:
Recovery from pericarditis requires a ton of rest. Fatigue from the pain and symptoms themselves plus the sleeplessness they cause has been compared to fatigue related to COVID-19.
Healthy meals, leftovers, Door Dash / Uber Eats deliveries, snacks, smoothies are all very helpful and appreciated. There are no dietary restrictions but healthier is always better!
A special Thank You to those who’ve already pitched in!
4️⃣ Cat Cafe:
For all the cat lovers out there, the impact on Gogets’ cat Luna has not been lost on him. On most days she still gets the love and attention she deserves, and there is never a shortage of long naps with her dad… However, there’s always opportunity for more play time! Luna is full of energy and requires a lot of activity to be happy. So if you find yourself in the downtown area and want to play with (read: wear out) an adorable feline friend, even just for 10-15 minutes, congrats - you’re hired! Toys and treats provided. 
Friends, let's make this fundraising campaign a resounding success and send a powerful message of encouragement to JG. Together, we can help him close out this game with a win and reclaim his rightful place behind the microphone his infectious enthusiasm belongs!
A message directly from Jared
“Thank you to everyone who’s taken time to think of me, pray for me, or take action on my behalf - not just recently, but over the last 12 months or so. I’ve leaned heavily on some of you and I can’t tell you how appreciative I am to have your support. Thank you - truly.”
Resources
Luna’s cost analysis : 
Actual Cost Analysis:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8478772/#FPar1title
More Information:
https://www.heart.org/-/media/Files/Health-Topics/Pericarditis/Recurrent-pericarditis-infographic.pdf
Sharing:
We appreciate you sharing this campaign with anyone who’d like to help. This was created as a place for Jared’s friends and colleagues to help out, so if they know him - even better!
Our Goal Timeline -
Our goal is based on the minimal threshold to get through the year. It was originally set at $7k.
Disclaimer: While the fundraiser may mention certain organizations, teams, athletes, or entities, it is important to note that any reference or mention does not constitute a direct affiliation. This fundraiser is not officially sponsored, endorsed, or affiliated with the University of Houston, UH Athletics, the NCAA, the Big 12, or any particular organization, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
