John Michael Pierce was a native Vestavian who loved everything about life. Diagnosed with esophageal cancer at age 24, John Michael used his illness to bring people together and continues to do so even after his death. John Michael attended the University of Alabama and was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity, where he served as social chair.
John Michael lost his battle with cancer on November 17th2021 at the age of 25. His family continues to honor his fight by supporting the fight against esophageal cancer through the established John Michael Pierce Foundation.
Early years
John Michael was best described by all his friends and family as the life of the party. He was the glue that held his circle of friends together and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone he could. I had the opportunity to sit with his family and they told me many stories about John Michael’s childhood and the kind of man he was.
According to his family’s stories, John Michael was the guy who would deliberately cause trouble at football practice to help his friend clean the toilet. He was the guy who would bring a snowball in a cooler from Kentucky to Alabama just because a cute girl from his senior year told him she wanted to see snow for the holidays. His mother, Patti Pierce, said, “He dedicated every day of his 25 years of life to making his friends and family feel special.” That sentiment was very much expressed by his friends and colleagues at the foundation’s events over the weekend.
John Michael was adventurous and his favorite phrase, “Let’s make a memory,” eventually became the rallying cry of the JMP Foundation. He was an avid golfer and spent a lot of time on the water swimming and deep sea fishing. He loved watching sunsets while drinking an Old Fashioned with his friends. Coleman Kitchens, a childhood friend, describes John Michael as “the life of the party, the glue of the friend group and the organizer of everything they did.”
After diagnosis
In his testimony, John Michael tells the story of how his cancer was first discovered. On a date, John Michael choked on his steak and had to go to the bathroom to do jumping jacks to get it down. Over time, this happened more and more often. After deciding enough was enough, John Michael was able to have an endoscopy where the doctor was unable to even insert the camera into his throat. John Michael had further tests done and learned that he had stage four esophageal cancer.
When John Michael received the news, he sent a loving text message to all of his friends informing them of his diagnosis and telling them that he wanted to “keep things going as normal.” He refused to let his illness define him and was determined to approach each day with a positive attitude.
John Michael was a devout Christian and lived each day with Joshua 1:9 in his heart. When his diagnosis was confirmed, his sister remembers finding him in his car outside a Publix with his eyes closed, praying for courage and strength to beat this disease. John was loved and will never be forgotten, and the John Michael Pierce Foundation works tirelessly to make sure that is the case.
John Michael Pierce Foundation
The JMP Foundation was founded by the family and friends of John Michael to raise awareness among young adults about the early signs and symptoms of esophageal cancer. Esophageal cancer is becoming increasingly common in young adults and the early symptoms may not seem significant, but most people do not discover the cancer until it is in the late stages, limiting the success of treatment options.
In 2020 Clear diagnostics was highlighted in the National Cancer Institute’s 2020 Annual Plan and Budget Proposal. They have developed a new early detection device (EsoGuard) that received FDA Breakthrough Device designation to facilitate the diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) with and without dysplasia. EsoGuard is a key new tool for detecting esophageal cancer before it reaches its fatal stage.
Castle Biosciences Barrett’s syndrome is also taking on the fight with its TissueCypher technology. This test uses biomarkers, spatial biology, and an AI-driven risk classifier to determine a patient’s five-year risk of developing high-grade dysplasia or esophageal adenocarcinoma. This technological advancement and the use of artificial intelligence will help patients accurately predict the early stage of cancer. Both companies and their developments will help save thousands of lives.
Donate
The John Michael Pierce Foundation wants to promote the positive attitude that John Michael had in his battle with esophageal cancer. To honor him, the JMP Foundation uses Donate to raise awareness of EC and make annual contributions to organizations close to his heart: Robert E. Reed GI Oncology Research Foundation And Highlands College
In addition, in honor of John Michael’s entrepreneurial spirit, the John Michael Pierce Entrepreneurial Fund was created to invest in aspiring entrepreneurs and help them realize their dreams.
Events
Each year, the John Michael Pierce Foundation holds two fundraising events to remember John Michael and to uphold his reputation as someone who brings everyone together. This past weekend was their Zoo Party at the Birmingham Zoo and the JMP Golf Classic at Highland Park Golf Course. These events are held to capture some of John Michael’s favorite activities.
He loved golf and never missed an opportunity to celebrate with his friends. I had the privilege of meeting many of his childhood and college friends, and they all agreed: “Even now, he finds reasons to bring us all together to spend time together. He is our glue.”
Baylor Frazier is a digital and radio sales specialist at YHN Media Group. For advertising opportunities in our publication portfolio, you can contact him directly at (email protected)
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