"Working hard to leave the world better than I found it" - Jonah Gruda
Because Jonah Would... is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit built to bring people together to create change in the fight against Cholangiocarcinoma. Every dollar raised moves us closer to better treatments, more hope, and the lasting impact he dreamed of.
Join our Fight
Jonah believed in showing up for others, no matter what he was facing himself.
Now, we carry that forward.
Your support helps fund critical research, empower emerging scientists, and bring us closer to better treatments and a cure.
Ways to get involved:
- Make a donation
- Join a fundraising event
- Help us spread awareness
- Be part of our community
Share Our Story
We set out to raise $85,000 to name a Research Fellowship in Jonah’s memory and together, we did that!
But our work is just beginning.
Jonah was first diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma in September 2023 when they found a 6.5 cm tumor on his liver. Jonah underwent 45 rounds of chemo and had a major operation on March 1st, 2024 at MD Anderson in Texas, where they removed 40% of his liver as well as multiple tumors they found in his belly and intestinal tract.
Over the course of this time, Jonah chose to become involved in CCF. He was a mentor to others who were newly diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma and explored other ways to get involved, using his skillset to help others.
Jonah passed away on June 30, 2025 after he went to the hospital the day before Father’s Day for what we initially thought was another partial small bowel obstruction. This time, it was not a partial obstruction but a full bowel obstruction in multiple spots, making him non-operable.
Our goal now is to continue Jonah’s work and legacy—not only by funding the fellowship in his honor, but by continuing to raise money and awareness to support ongoing research and, one day, a cure for this disease.
Since 2015, the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation’s (CCF) program has awarded 71 fellowships to promising early-career investigators, driving innovation and discovery in the field of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). These Fellows have come from 36 institutions and 7 countries, united by a shared mission to advance understanding of this disease.
Our fundraising efforts help support these fellowships and CCF’s ongoing work to cultivate emerging scientists with the critical resources, experiences, and mentorship needed to shape the future of CCA research.
Founded in 2006, CCF is a global 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its mission is to find a cure and improve the quality of life for those affected by bile duct cancer. CCF supports basic and translational research and raises awareness in the cholangiocarcinoma community through advocacy, education, collaboration, and research. For more information, please visit https://cholangiocarcinoma.org/..
Support us by making a donation or joining our efforts to continue raising funds and awareness.
Because Jonah Would.
Support the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF)
Over the past year and a half, Jonah was very involved in the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF). He was a mentor to those who shared his diagnosis, and he helped provide them with support on their journeys. Additionally, Jonah had spoken to the Foundation about bringing his skills and experience to provide tax support for individuals who also were living with a terminal illness. This past April, Jonah was scheduled to speak at the Cholangiocarcinoma conference; unfortunately, he needed to cancel his trip at the last minute as he started a new treatment protocol earlier that week. This conference is an opportunity for patients and doctors to meet together to discuss new trials, new treatments, new research and work together to support each other. Sharing and understanding new trials and research is critically important, especially with rare cancers like cholangiocarcinoma.
Important side note: Jonah heard that his oncologist from MD Anderson sang karaoke during one of the evening events, which he thought would have been the coolest thing! Jonah loved an opportunity to sing and would have jumped up there himself belting I Need You Tonight or Paradise by the Dashboard Light).
What Is Cholangiocarcinoma?
Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare, aggressive cancer which often shows little to no symptoms prior to its diagnosis. The long-term survival rate is poor and treatment options are limited. According to The Cleveland Clinic, those who are diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma in its later stages have a 5-year survival rate between 2-3% (symptoms include jaundice, itchy skin, abdominal pain, weight loss, and others).. Finding new treatment options and more methods for early detection are critical, as the current standard of care has only been in practice in recent years.
For Jonah, there was also a potential connection between his ulcerative colitis (which may have led to Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis or PSC, and therefore possibly the precursor to his Cholangiocarcinoma.) There is no cure for PSC, only symptom management. Did you know that Crohn's can also lead to PSC? Jacob was diagnosed with Crohn's a few years ago, and, given Jonah's history, Jacob will require additional monitoring throughout his life to monitor him for PSC, cholangiocarcinoma, and other gastrointestinal cancers.
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Do something. Leave the world better than you found it—Because Jonah Would.
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