Think Big Jesse

Think Big Jesse Think Big Jesse is a charity fundraiser set up to help support 14-year-old Jesse Martello, JR. and his battle with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

14-year-old, Jesse, Jr. was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia called T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The outlook is optimistic, but the battle is just beginning. The doctors’ initial prognosis indicates that Jesse, Jr. is in for a fight that could last 3 years with chemotherapy and many hospital visits, during what should be the prime years of his youth. Jesse, Jr. is an

avid fisherman who regularly mates for his fathers charter business Think Big Charters aboard the boat “Necessary Expense”. Jesse also enjoys playing soccer, basketball and lacrosse, racing his go kart at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford, Connecticut, going skiing and snowmobiling! According to his father, so far Jesse hasn't even shown an ounce of weakness or shed a tear. He has maintained a positive attitude going into this! Right now, Jesse's family faces uncertainty with the medical costs and other financial burdens associated with treating this disease. To help ease the burden, this page has been set up to help facilitate a fundraising effort to help aid Jesse Jr's family with the medical expenses they will face during his battle. We will regularly provide updates on Jesse's condition and promote fundraising activities for the Martello family!

10/29/2023

Hi everyone.

It has been a while since the last update, but as they say no news is good news.

Jesse had a one year post bone marrow transplant check up a few weeks back, and everything came back 100% clear!!!

It’s safe to say Jesse can now focus on living his best life and look forward to the future.

Thank you to everyone that came forward and helped Jesse’s family from the Initial diagnosis to his successful bone marrow transplant last September. All the support helped, no doubt about it!

Thank you for the donations, all the well wishes, the prayers. It made a difference and got his family through it all.

With that being it’s time to look to the future and hope everyone stays healthy and keeps a positive outlook on things in life. Good things happen to those who deserve it!

Thank you

03/04/2023

Hi everyone, it has been a while since our last update. Just wanted to share a quick video I shot from an excursion snowmobiling up into northern Vermont this past week with Jesse JR. Something really stood out and I felt compelled to share.

You can see Jesse leading our pack on his red Skidoo, and not holding back, riding his sled like he means business!

Jesse killed it putting in over 200 miles on the trail and he could have done more if we had the time! Just like his battle this past year. Kicking ass and taking names and plowing forward!

With all this being said, Jesse is doing great and on schedule to be back in school April 1st! Thank you everyone for supporting Jesse and his family this past year! Your help and generosity made a huge difference! Stay safe!

One of the biggest things that motivated Jesse JR during his battle this past year was being able to get on his snowmobi...
12/21/2022

One of the biggest things that motivated Jesse JR during his battle this past year was being able to get on his snowmobile and go riding again!

Well, guess what folks, He made it out with his Dad yesterday for a quick 40 mile run on his own sled up in southern Vermont! Trail conditions were pretty bad (terrible in some places) but he plowed through it without complaining! What a trooper!!!!

It’s still nothing short of amazing to see how far Jesse has come in less than a year since his initial diagnosis and how he’s moving in the right direction! Thank you to everyone who provided support for Jesse and his family this past year! Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

11/08/2022

Well folks, some great news! Jesse’s finally heading home! Thank you everyone for the support and well wishes toward Jesse and his family. He still has a ways to go but nothing beats being at home!!!!

Katelyn did it!!!! The procedure went well, and she had the wear with all to make it down to Jesse’s room to press the s...
09/30/2022

Katelyn did it!!!! The procedure went well, and she had the wear with all to make it down to Jesse’s room to press the start button on the machine that admisters the new bone marrow! Now it’s time for Jesse JR to shine! You got this bud!

09/16/2022

Hi Folks, sorry it’s been a while since we posted an update on Jesse JR. Things are looking good, and optimistic. Jesse had a tough go if things from May right into June but things are looking better.

He is on schedule to receive a bone marrow transplant toward the end of the month. Thankfully his sister Katelyn was a perfect 10/10 match for Jesse with the bone marrow!

With that being said Jesse will be back in the hospital for a while to allow the transplant to work! Jesse’s dad plans to be up at the hospital with him the whole time in quarantine with Jesse. Let’s all think positive because things are looking brighter!

05/31/2022
05/31/2022
05/10/2022

Hi Everyone, just wanted to share some information concerning Jesse Jr. Over a week ago the poor guy was in some tremendous pain. He was admitted to Baystate and now he’s been moved up to Boston Children’s Hospital. It seems his diagnosis has shifted more toward something called Extramedullary Leukemia (a very rare form of Leukemia). At this point the oncologists are working on nailing down the cause of his pain. Jesse is in good spirits and still holding his own. Right now it seems he may need a bone marrow transplant and that entails a longer hospital stay. Please keep Jesse in your thoughts and keep sending him and his family good vibes. The prognosis is still good, he’s going to beat this, it’s just going to take a little more time!

04/08/2022

Hey everyone, I just wanted to post an update on how things went for our first round of fundraising efforts for Jesse’s family! The total we have raised thus far between the Raffle, the Silent Auctions for the Charters, and Donations is $26,200.00!!! We really appreciate everyone who participated! Thank You. We also want to offer a huge thank you to all the companies that donated to the fishing gear raffle and charter auctions!!!! Also, we need to offer a special thanks to Ted Norris of Pamlico Group for providing the website design and hosting services for us to be able to make this all happen! Below is a list of the winners for the fishing gear tackle in case you didn’t get to watch the live video of the drawings last night! We will be in touch with all the winners shortly to help everyone claim there prizes! Thank you!!!!

Think Big Jesse Saltwater Fishing Gear Raffle Winners:

Nate Hany $400 Reel Easy Gift Card

Paul Hessler Blue Action Tackle Fluorocarbon Hand Spool Package

Kevin Dronzek L.T. Marine 0 Degree Swivel Rod Holder Package

Erik Geiger Chatter Lures Package

Joshua Feil $1000 JB Tackle Gift Card

Matthew Cook Blue Action Tackle Wahoo Shock Leader/Planer Bridle Pack

Scott Haines Unplugged Outfitters Custom Boat Artwork Rendering

Richard Lipsitz L.T. Marine Commercial Giant Tuna Swim Hook

David Arute Tsunami Saltex 6000 Spinning Reel & Crafty One Tog Rod

Karl Winkler Trophy Tackle 4' Calcutta Bamboo Gaff

Jay Goodwin L.T. Marine Carbon Fiber Gaff Package

Ian Shilosky Chum Chucker

Walter p Matyka 52 Quart Snap-On Cooler

Allen Gagnon $1000 Off Entry Fee For 2022 Montauk Canyon Challenge

Darrel Taggart Unplugged Outfitters Custom Boat Artwork Rendering

Alex Mayer Deep Ocean Apparel Package

Mary P Richardson L.T. Marine 8' 2 PC Blue Fish Scale Harpoon and Basket Package

John Kloter Trophy Tackle Go 2 Hook Package

Damon J Sacco Blue Action Tackle Wind-on Leader Package and Spool of Momoi

Justin Walter Chatham Special 80-130 Giant Rod with Penn 80 VISW Gold Reel & L.T. Marine Tuna Tomahawk

Tom Bieback Joey's Trolling Rod Package& Trophy Tackle Inshore Fluke & Sea Bass Package

Troy Dube Crafty One Tog Rod

Jason Albert Ho**er Electric Rod Rack

David Dyer Blue Action Tackle Wind-on Swordfish Leader

Dean Luginbuhl L.T. Marine 10' Heavy Weight Harpoon Package & Unplugged Outfitters Custom Boat Artwork Rendering & Blue Action Tackle Fluorocarbon Coil Package

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60 Sunshine Farms Drive
Somers, CT
06071

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