Update: Jon Peterson, an outstanding paramedic devoted to caring for our community, was recently diagnosed with Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy (IMNM). IMNM is a rare disease that causes severe muscle weakness and heart complications. Despite trying many treatments and receiving care from top hospitals, Jon succumbed to the disease on September 13, 2024. The financial strain of medical expenses and travel has taken a significant toll on Jon’s family. All appreciated donations will help pay for Jon’s medical bills and help his wife raise his two daughters without him.

We reach out with heavy hearts and a hopeful spirit to ask for your support for Jon Peterson, an extraordinary paramedic who has devoted his life to saving others. Jon’s unwavering dedication to his work has touched countless lives, and now he finds himself in a dire situation, requiring our collective help.

Jon has been diagnosed with Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy (IMNM), a rare and debilitating disease that has drastically impacted his life. This severe condition brings extreme muscle weakness, mobility issues, and serious cardiac complications. As a result, Jon has endured multiple hospitalizations at Sanford Hospital, the University of Minnesota/Rochester, and the Mayo Clinic Cardiac ICU, desperately seeking a treatment plan to manage his condition and regain his strength.

Despite the incredible medical care he has received, the road to recovery is long and fraught with challenges. Jon’s condition has not only been physically exhausting but also financially burdensome, with mounting medical bills and ongoing treatment costs placing a significant strain on him and his family.

Jon has always been the one to rush in and help others in their times of need, and now it is our turn to support him in his time of crisis. We are reaching out to you, our community, to assist in raising funds that will help cover Jon’s medical expenses and provide some relief as he battles this formidable illness.

How You Can Help:

1. Donate: Any contribution, big or small, will make a difference. Your financial support will go directly towards Jon’s medical bills, treatments, and necessary therapies.
2. Share: Spread the word about Jon’s situation. Share this appeal on social media, with friends, and within your networks to help us reach as many people as possible.
3. Offer Support: If you have resources, services, or time that you can offer, please reach out. Every bit of help counts, whether it’s a donation, a meal, or simply words of encouragement.

When you give online to this fundraiser, your gift goes directly to the family, and Lend A Hand Up provides a 20% financial boost to increase your giving value. The Lend A Hand Up boost applies solely to online gifts processed through this giving site. Should you wish to make a gift by cash or check, your generosity should be directed to the family or their fund at Bell Bank, as Lend A Hand Up does not process cash or check gifts for families.