Why: Sgt. Jeremy "Jay" Seals dedicated his life to serving his family and his country, yet it was a combination of military medical malpractice, neglect, and toxic exposure that ultimately took his life. After being stationed in Afghanistan, Jay was exposed to burn pits and hazardous toxins, which likely contributed to his deteriorating health. In 2012, a routine scan during his time in Belgium detected a concerning abnormality, but the Army medical system failed to inform him or act on it. For years, his persistent health issues were dismissed by military doctors, who misdiagnosed or minimized his symptoms. By the time the VA identified his condition in 2016, it was too late—Jay had Stage 4 stomach cancer, an illness that had been growing undetected for years. He fought for two more years before passing away on October 31, 2018.

Before his death, Jay gave me a mission: to advocate for service members, veterans, and their families, ensuring that others do not suffer as he did. Since then, I have dedicated my life to fighting for change, traveling to Washington, D.C., and working with advocacy groups. My focus areas include military medical malpractice reform, toxic exposure accountability, and survivor benefits.

Jay’s story is not unique—many military families face similar failures in medical care and support. We owe it to our warriors to demand better policies, better care, and greater accountability. I invite you to stand with me in raising awareness and pushing for real change.