Life can be a gift, but also a battle.

Bothell High 2008 graduate Jaimeson Jones is currently experiencing the trip of a lifetime in Europe with his sister, cousin and girlfriend.

He’ll return March 11 from the one-month vacation, but life will continue to be a struggle for Jones, who has suffered a recurrence of testicular cancer that he was diagnosed with at the age of 14 in January 2005. After undergoing four courses of chemotherapy and four surgeries, the cancer went into remission.

However, the strong, lifelong athlete — cross country and track at Bothell and crew at Washington State University — has recently faced more chemotherapy, stem-cell transplants and surgery. According to Jaimeson’s Crew of friends and his oncologist, positive results have not surfaced.

So the Crew is raising money for medical expenses and his family is investigating clinical trials in Indianapolis, Ind., New York City and Pasadena, Calif. They’re trying to do all they can to help their son and buddy. It must be tough on everyone involved, but they’re going to keep Jones’ hope and spirits high.

When Jones comes back from his dream trip — which donations have helped fund — he hopes to return to WSU and continue taking an oral chemotherapy agent that will hopefully slow the cancer’s progression.

Jones is embracing life in Europe at this moment and with his family beside him — and his Crew eagerly awaits his return.

To make a donation and for more information, visit Jaimeson’s Crew