Local cancer survivor pays it forward
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T.J. Jensen
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ARLEE — He is well known in town.“I’ve known T.J. most of my life,” Mandy Haynes-Belcourt said. “He is a really good guy.” When Haynes-Belcourt found out that T.J. Jensen was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer of the esophagus, she wanted to help. “I wanted to pay it forward,” she said. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in February of 2015. The community pulled together and held a fundraiser for her through Spur the Cancer Out of Montana. Every three months, she gets a check up and continues to take a chemotherapy pill. “I’m doing well,” she said. “I’m in remission.” She started working right away on the fundraiser. Jensen was told by doctors that he didn’t have long to live. He opted to take chemotherapy to extend his life. “He could live for years with the treatment,” she said. “We just don’t know.” She went to Jensen’s home to share her chemotherapy experienceso he would know what to expect, and she asked what he thought of a fundraiser benefit. “He had the same attitude I had about a benefit,” she said. “He didn’t want a handout. I explained to him that people want to help. They can’t take cancer from him, but they can do this for him. It’s a way for the community to feel like they can do something. He finally said ‘OK.’” Jensen is helping to take care of his grandkids, so Haynes-Belcourt wants to raise money to help him with bills. She also wants him to have some fun. “I wanted to be able to send him to Alaska,” she said. “He loves fishing, but that trip might not work, but I want to send him somewhere even if it’s a road trip to see family.” Haynes-Belcourt has been asking for donations from Missoula to Polson. She has collected items for a live and silent auction. “I don’t know how it feels to be told you are terminal,” she said. “But I know cancer is awful, and I want to do something.” Community member Susan Rogers is helping to get the word out about the benefit. “Mandy is fighting cancer and working to help him,” Rogers said. “I thought that was astronomical. They are both really great people.” The benefit will be held at the Brown Building on Saturday, June 25. The Indian Taco lunch for $8 starts at 1 p.m. along with the silent and live auction. People can also buy raffle tickets. A poker tournament with a $50 buy-in starts around 6 p.m. Donations can be made by calling 406-493-4958. “We
