MED & Night's message to Jerry Thompson

For dozens of vital and historic news stories over 25 years, it was CNN videojournalist Jerry Thompson's steady hand that trained the lens. Now it's time to lend Jerry a hand in return.

Jerry has brain cancer. It is stage 4 malignant glioblastoma, the same cancer that afflicted Sen. Ted Kennedy. GBM is rare but pernicious, striking about 10,000 Americans each year. Jerry's diagnosis came shortly after the birth of his third child, Brandon, who's now 2. He and Ines are also raising Jason, 16, and Drew, 12 (all pictured at left).

With help from CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Jerry entered treatment at NIH. At first progress was good, but another tumor was found in August. Jerry's undergoing experimental treatment but is unable to work at the moment and was laid off by CNN.

Journalists do a brisk trade in health care policy stories. Especially in television, we seek out the "human angle" to dramatize the limits of medicine or insurance coverage, and make viewers care. This time we find the human angle right in our midst. The real face of a sobering medical story is the face of a man we love: a professional Washington D.C. journalist since 1986 and fixture at presidential news conferences, campaign events and summits. A tall, shambling, soft-spoken but tireless shooter respected by his subjects and beloved by correspondents, producers, and story editors, Jerry has many friends in the business.

And untold millions of viewers may not know his name, but have literally watched history over Jerry's shoulder.

Most in today's news business live with uncommon professional insecurity thanks to fracturing business models. Fate could land any journalist in Jerry's shoes tomorrow, and we'd all like to think we'd help. But today Jerry needs our help. Although CNN eventually agreed to assist after Jerry's insurance was technically exhausted, there is much more to be done.

Friends of Jerry Thompson are establishing a minor trust fund for Jason, Drew and Brandon as a formal 2503(c) non-profit entity. To seed the Jerry Thompson Children's Trust, we are gathering to Buy Jerry a Beer at 700pm Wednesday, November 17 at Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar, 9th & H Streets (Chinatown / Penn Quarter). The most impressive lineup ever assembled of Washington news celebrity bartenders will pour in Jerry's honor, and hot journo band Suspicious Package led by Tom Toles and Bryan Greene will provide the music. All details here.

If you're in the DC area, please come to Cuba Libre. Cover charge, drink receipts, and all auction proceeds go to the Jerry Thompson Children's Trust. If you're a long way from Washington or simply can't make it that night, we welcome your donation via PayPal (yellow button below) -- it all ends up in the same place.

Thanks for keeping Jerry and his family in your heart.
Please Donate at
www.buyjerryabeer.com
Video by Brian Dwels

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[jlw3rd]

Awesome !!! I'm the organizer for Jerry's fundraiser and can't tell you what this means. You guys are fantastic !!!! Thank you !

[ARTKOREflix]

hot damn, tuff city givin back to society, BX, will always be my role models in graffiti since day one.

SkopeWoner

Kings Destroy (Singapore)

[DrEuthanasia]

Smoking Flow Rap From Flow Montana , with MED on The Art Work ahhh 1.2 ahhh 1.2 WOOOT Get Well Soon Jerry Chin Up My Man!

[metalmaned]

Night came off with this and so did Med... Good lookin out to the whole TCS fam!!!!

[ACEDtwo]

Best wishes Jerry!

[CureKto]

damn thats on point! the rap,canvas, everything. jerry i hope u get better ur in our prayers from everyone