Oregon Mom and 4-Year-Old Son Get Cancer News Together

In what can only be described as a devastating blow, an Oregon mother and her young son were both diagnosed with cancer on the same day, just one hour apart. The news has left their family reeling — and their community rallying.

A Family Turned Upside-Down in an Hour

Jake McRae, whose wife Britney and 4-year-old son Jamon received their diagnoses within an hour, says the experience is “the hardest part,” especially because he feels helpless.

Just weeks earlier, life felt pretty normal. But when Jamon began complaining of headaches, things spiraled fast. An MRI revealed a brain tumor, and surgeons at Stanford performed a 15-hour operation to remove most of it.

Mom’s Diagnosis Adds Another Fight

The shock didn’t stop with Jamon. On the very same day, Britney met with oncologists too — her appointment was only about an hour apart from her son’s. She’s now started chemotherapy, even as she supports her son through his follow-up surgery and radiation.

Treatment Reality & Tough Prognosis

• Jamon is slated for six weeks of daily radiation plus months of chemotherapy.
• His prognosis is serious: doctors estimate a roughly 50% survival rate, though that could go up to ~70% if surgeons can remove all remaining tumor.
• Meanwhile, mom Britney is undergoing chemo and staying involved in her son’s recovery, all while caring for their two other young children.

Why This Story Hits Hard

1. Unimaginable timing: Being diagnosed so close together is a rare and deeply traumatic situation for any family.
2. Emotional weight: The parents are juggling dual roles — patient and parent — with no pause button.
3. Real community need: Stories like this underscore how critical support (medical, emotional, financial) is for families facing big health crises.

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