By Jacob Kamaras
Jewish Federation of San Diego County President and CEO Michael Jeser, who in May had stepped back from his position because of a recurrence of the cancer that had him sidelined much of last year, on Thursday announced that he has decided to decline further cancer treatment.
Jeser wrote on Facebook that “as difficult as this decision was, I feel at peace with it. To know that I am no longer going to suffer is a tremendous relief to me. It is pure torture to admit the cancer is going to win but that is the reality of it that I have come to accept.”
Last month, after Jeser announced his leave of absence, the Federation appointed Heidi Gantwerk as its interim CEO.
“In Michael’s absence, our talented staff is well positioned to build on our current work, to close our campaign (with your help), and to fulfill our mission of caring for Jews in need, strengthening the community, and connecting to Israel. We will not lose momentum,” Federation Board Chair David Bramzon said at the time, adding that Gantwerk “is ideally positioned to take on this sensitive and important role. We deeply appreciate her commitment to all of us at Federation.”
The following is the full text of Jeser’s announcement on Thursday:
“Laura and I have made the difficult decision to decline any further cancer treatment.
“After discovering that the tumors continued to grow and spread despite the last round of chemo, we worked with our oncologist to explore treatment options, sought input from multiple doctors and cancer centers around the country, looked into clinical trials everywhere, and conducted further genetic tests to see if a particular targeted immunotherapy might help. While I could try chemo, that is the worst option of all, with little evidence that it could help and all likelihood that it would just make me sick and suffer. My oncologist offered an immunotherapy option, but admitted it was a bad option in that it carries significant risks of infection that could shorten my life and also Cause suffering that I’m not willing to take. As we considered the risks and the rewards, it became clear to me that none of the options are viable and that I need to focus on my quality of life at this point. While we continue to fight this dreaded disease, we are changing the terms of the fight. It is no longer about extending my life at all costs but about helping me live the life I have left the way I want to live it. I am so sad to share this update with you all, as we have been fighting for so long together.
“I will say that as difficult as this decision was, I feel at peace with it. To know that I am no longer going to suffer is a tremendous relief to me. It is pure torture to admit the cancer is going to win but that is the reality of it that I have come to accept. With Laura and Eleanore at my side, I’ve fought a valiant battle these past nearly 4 years. Laura and I have been embraced by so many of you. We feel the love.
“The next steps are to sign up to receive hospice care which we plan to do sometime over the next week. We don’t know how much time I have left or whether we are looking at weeks or months (hopefully, the latter), but the hospice will do what it does best; that is to ensure I am pain free and comfortable as the cancer progresses.
“I recognize that many of you will not know how to respond to this news. There truly is no right thing to say. Please continue to pray for me if you would like. I am formulating an idea for a project that will help Eleanore know who her daddy was that I plan to ask you to participate in. Stay tuned for more details as I’m sure many will want to know what they can do to support us.
“More soon…”
I have never met you or knew who you were until now I am touched by your words of acceptance of your fate and also sorryful that this has happened to you. My prayers are with you. Bob P