Sometimes our connection to a KARE recipient runs especially deep—and the Jacob family is one of those moments.

Dee and Bob Jacob are deeply rooted in the Guilford, Connecticut community. Dee served as President of the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce and was instrumental in helping establish the KARE Foundation within the Connecticut shoreline community back in 2021. She generously shared her time, guidance, and influence, becoming a strong supporter of the Foundation and a passionate advocate for our mission. On a more personal level, Dee also taught CCD to Paul’s twin daughters during their high school years, and the Jacob and Dostie families remained connected throughout the years. Bob and Dee are parents to five children—one of whom is the same age as Paul’s twins—making this connection feel even more personal.

In January of 2025, life changed abruptly for the Jacob family. Bob began experiencing troubling cognitive symptoms, and Dee immediately knew something wasn’t right. She brought him to the emergency room, where an MRI revealed a brain tumor. After a brain biopsy, they received devastating news: Bob was diagnosed with a highly aggressive Stage 4 small cell Glioblastoma. A Glioblastoma diagnosis alone is overwhelming—but learning it was the rare and even more aggressive mutation made it even more devastating. Bob underwent a resection of the tumor five days later.

Shortly after Bob’s diagnosis, Dee reached out to the KARE Foundation—not for help, but for guidance. She wanted to talk through Bob’s diagnosis, treatment options, and what the road ahead might look like. At that time, Dee was still working and the family was doing everything possible to navigate treatments while hoping for stability.

In September, Dee contacted KARE again with heartbreaking news—Bob had experienced a recurrence of the tumor, requiring a second resection surgery. With the recurrence, Dee made the decision to accelerate her retirement from the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce, so she would be available to be by his side.

Following his second surgery, Bob was unable to return home for over four months. During a transition from acute rehabilitation to skilled rehab, he suffered a fall that resulted in a brain bleed and hygromas. After three weeks and the placement of a brain shunt, he returned again to acute care and then back to skilled rehab. After Christmas, it became clear that Bob was no longer making progress. He showed increasing signs of decline—sleeping more, responding more slowly, his voice growing softer, and experiencing more frequent episodes of delirium.

After consultations with Bob’s Neuro-Oncologist and Geriatric physician, the family was faced with the most heartbreaking decision of all: shifting the focus of care to keeping Bob comfortable and bringing him home.

This stage of the journey is beyond devastating. When KARE received word from Dee that Bob was entering this phase, we immediately understood the emotional toll—and the financial strain families face at this point, when so many necessary expenses are no longer covered by insurance. Without hesitation, the KARE Board unanimously approved support for the Jacob family.

We are honored, humbled, and profoundly grateful to stand beside a family fighting this horrific disease—one with such deep connections to our foundation, our family, and our hometown.

Please keep Dee, Bob, and the entire Jacob family in your thoughts and prayers.