Sean Bates – much beloved husband of Jill, father of Alex and Payton, son of Bob and Gwen, brother of Dustin, nephew, cousin, friend, Marine vet and (most especially) devout servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – has entered a new phase in his cancer battle.
As I (his sister-in-law) write this, Sean has entered inpatient hospice at the VA Hospital in Durham, NC. Even as he made this difficult decision, we saw the hand of God at work, as countless F3 buddies attended yesterday’s open house to sit at Sean’s side, sharing words of love and encouragement as he prepared for this transition.
Let me be clear: Sean is NOT giving up. Even yesterday, Father Luke of Cardinal Gibbons beside him, Sean spoke to his oncologist by phone and vowed (both arms raised) to “fight, fight, FIGHT!” the heartless foe ravaging his body.
Sean knows that, through God, all things are possible. We, his loved ones, seek a miracle.
Even as we continue to pray that Sean be delivered from this disease and restored to physical health, the time has come to prepare for another eventuality – one I can barely bring myself to write.
Our utmost priority has been – and will continue to be – Sean’s health and comfort. Even so, the financial challenges of this crisis are ever present.
Jill has been the family’s sole breadwinner for many months now. Laid off from his longtime role at Cisco in Feb. 2024, Sean was poised to launch his Special Strong franchise when we received his devastating diagnosis in August.
No income. No life insurance. The hospital bills are piling up. Potential memorial expenses looming. Necessary home repairs put on hold. Two minor children to raise and put through college.
Support comes in many forms, and we’ve seen an outpouring from Sean and Jill's community – a veritable deluge of prayers and visits and gifts of service. They’ve meant the world to Sean, Jill and the entire family!
Please, keep the prayers coming. Please send well-wishes by text and social media (like Sean's Facebook, Jill's Facebook or their CaringBridge page). Please share photos and special memories. And if you have the means and are so inclined, please consider contributing to this support fund for Jill and the kids. It will bring Sean tremendous peace of mind to know she has an emergency fund to face the future, whatever it may bring.
Thank you for all you have done and will continue to do! God bless you – and God bless Sean – in the challenging days ahead.
Love,
Danielle and Dustin Bates
POST SCRIPT FROM DANIELLE: I wrote this appeal on Sunday morning but wanted Sean and Jill's approval before posting, thus the delay and somewhat dated language.
I also want to note that, for those who prefer to make a more directed gift to the family, we are working to establish a support fund account at NC SECU. For the sake of expediency, however, given how quickly things are changing, I'm initiating this digital campaign now to raise funds more immediately.
POST SCRIPT FROM SEAN: As I sought approval on my post script, Sean asked that I add another addendum about their need to replace the back deck, which has developed support issues. With the help of a construction professional, Sean has already designed a "double decker" replacement deck that they planned to build one day. As of today, Sean asked that Jill add a cross. He would like the porch christened "Floppy's Way" (harkening to his F3 name, Floppy Crust, which shows how much his F3 community means to him). Big thumbs up! She agreed, of course.
