In Memory of Jonathan David Hall

Dear Friends,

Some of you have had the good fortune to meet and know my brother Jonathan Hall. He is nine years my junior in age and many years beyond me in wisdom and much better looking as well... He is a hard working Captain of Merchant Ships, a no nonsense, strong willed self made man. He is an awesome multi-sport athlete, a great father and husband to his wonderful supportive wife Joy and three young children Lily, Sam & 18 month old Sally. He has always been a great loving & caring brother. He is my best friend....

On May 28th 2004, after approximately 3 months at sea in the Indian Ocean Jonathan felt it necessary to see a doctor because of a growing discomfort he was feeling on his left side.. specifically numbness up and down his left side. Jonathan went ashore in Norfolk Virginia and an MRI found a tumor in his brain. Many of you have been remembering Jonathan in your prayers for months now...My family and I thank you for thinking of Jonathan.

The tumor was diagnosed as a anaplastic astrocytoma. The tumor was deemed inoperable. Radiation and Chemo therapy was used to treat the tumor. An experimental treatment called Temodar was used. After a couple of months
of treatment the tumor was actually larger than two months previous. The numbness persisted as did Jonathans impaired vision. My family & I were not encouraged by what was happening...

On January 18, 2005 Jonathan began a highly experimental treatment at The Brain Tumor Center at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. At first Jonathans body had a very difficult reaction to the treatment...The dosages were reduced over a few months to help his body handle the medications. For the next few months Jonathans body and mind went through a myriad of tests, probes, adjustments and changes. All this was happening while Jonathan was caring for his infant daughter Sally born just two months after he was diagnosed.

Months passed...

On October 5th, after nearly 17 months of suffering the effects of the tumor and various treatments...an MRI taken at Duke showed that the tumor had measurable shrinkage...then on December 5th another MRI showed even more shrinkage of the tumor. Jonathans next scheduled MRI appointment is scheduled in the next couple of weeks. We are cautiously optimistic.

Jonathan has been feeling better. His sight has improved. the numbness has decreased on his left side. He is thinking about when he can return to work as a ships Captain.

All of these things he is able to feel and think about wouldn't be possible if it hadn't been for the fine research that is being done at the Brain Tumor Center at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. I thank god for the dedicated research & medical teams that have dedicated there lives to finding cures.

I want to thank Duke University for saving my brother Jonathans life...and for continuing to treat him and monitor his recovery...

So...This spring on Monday April 17th, I will run the Boston Marathon in celebration of my brothers triumph over this deadly form of cancer. I am asking all of you for a $5.00 donation or $26.20 ( a dollar for each of the
26.2 miles of the marathon course. ) to benefit the ongoing research being done at The Brain Tumor Center At Duke University. Any donation amount is greatly appreciated and will help.

If you are interested in donating to this great institution in Jonathan's name...

Please make tax deductible checks payable to Duke Brain Tumor Center

Please send checks to:
Doug Hall
c/o Jonathan's Team
PO Box 48
Scituate, MA 02066