With a great divisional battle coming up, yesterday I was reminded that there are some in Packernation fighting a bigger battle. That is why we do stories on our military friends who put themselves in harms way for us every day. Today we have the story of a family man who is in a battle for his life. Packernation…please send Ron Nelson your warmest wishes! I will let his son, Ryan, tell the story:
Ron Nelson was born and raised a Packer fan. He spent the first sixty years of his life in Wisconsin until he moved to Missouri to be closer to his kids and grandkids. At 69 years old he still bleeds green and gold and even with the limited TV coverage keeps up with the Packers week in and week out.
When the 2014 Packer campaign began Ron anticipated another winning season with the hopes of a playoff run. However, many things in his life changed on November 1 when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Within just a couple of weeks Ron discovered the cancer was stage 4 and considered terminal.
Since November Ron has started chemotherapy and been in and out of the hospital. It’s been a very tough battle but his spirits and attitude have stayed upbeat. This latest visit to the hospital found him to be five pints of blood low from internal bleeding. On Thursday (January 8) the doctor informed Ron that his blood counts were good and he can head home. He was filled with excitement and feeling good and declared he was excited to watch the Packers playoff game from home.
Let’s cheer on the Packers and Ron this weekend with the hashtag #GoPackGoRon.
Much love! Truly inspiring!
#GoPackGoRON
Mr. Nelson, you are commendable, sir. I pray for your comfort, guidance and healing. Fight the greatest fight that you’ve got. What a blessing it is that you’re able to come home and watch the Packers. I hope they recognize you and your courage and I hope you get to see a WIN!
Prayers, blessings and hugs.
Xoxo
May God Bless you and keep you in His arms!…. Go Pack Go Keep up the good fight!
#GoPackGoRon Fight the fight!!! Keep the faith. Go pack go from AZ.
Hang in there Ron! Thinking of you at this time. God cares and so do I. May God pour his blessings upon you! all the best! Todd Sandow
Keep up the good fight Ron and go packers!!!!!!
Stay posivtive my friend. Packers will win this sunday
Ron, thank you for all you have given this country. We are rooting and praying for you.
#GOPACKGORON…..hang in there babe
#GoPackGoRon
God bless and keep you Sir. #GoPackGoRON!
#GoPackGoRon
Praying for you and your family!!
May God bless you, Ron. Myself and other fans are praying for you!
GO PACK GO!!!!
#GoPackGoRON
#GopackgoRon
#GoPackGoRon May The Lord bless you and keep you; may He shine His face upon you and give you peace. Keep up the good fight!
#GoPackgoRon
Even though we reside in the Viking territory of Minnesota, we, too, are true Packer fans–and even greater fans of our brother-in-law Ron. Unlike football, you’re in a battle that you get to be victorious either way, thanks to the marvelous hope you and we have in our Lord and Savior. Victory is ours!
Get well soon sir. I want Jesus to heel you and our Packers to win for you. #gopackgoron
#GoPackGoRon!!!! Thank you for being a great example of God’s love! Our God is a God of miracles!!!
Lord, help me remember that nothing is going to happen today that you and I together can’t handle – You will be in my thoughts and prayers today and in the days to come.
Is Mr. Nelson living in Green Bay? If he is able to attend the game I have one extra ticket on the 50 yard line I would like to give him
Kris, my father wept as I read this to him. What an incredible gesture. He actually lives in Carl Junction, MO which is near Joplin. Unfortunately the trip is not feasible at this time. But, the gesture is extremely touching and encouraging. If you want to follow more of his story you can do so on his Facebook page “Ron Nelson: Living in Hope.” Again, a most sincere thank you for giving the opportunity.
Hey Ron!
As a fellow Wisconsinite but now living in Albany, New York, we will be together in spirit this Sunday watching a slightly milder version of the Ice Bowl. I too have been battling with cancer and know how difficult it can be. Hang in there, Ron, and let’s cheer together GO PACK GO on Sunday. Best wishes to you and those who care about you in your ongoing fight.
#GoPackGoRon
May god bless and keep you in his loving arms. Packer Nation is praying for you Ron!
#GoPackGoRon
hi Ron,
We are in this fight together. March of 2014 I went in the hospital with uncontrollable pain and long story short they found a tumor on my pancreas. I’m a packer fan not as long as you but since 67. All I can say to you is keep up the fight, your not alone and God Bless.
Steve, thanks for these great words of encouragement. It means so much to my family that people like you can reach beyond your own circumstance and wish others like my dad well. Our faith is very deep. We welcome your prayers and blessings. Blessings to you. #GoPackGoSTeve
GO RON, GO PACK . win
#GoPackGoRon!
God’s blessings on you Ron! Fight hard! I’ll be cheering for you AND the Packers on Sunday!!!
Hope you’re feeling better Ron. You & your family are in our prayers. GO PACKERS!!!
Hi Ron,
Your story hits very close to home for me,We just lost my mother n law to the same thing July of 2013, hers was to far advanced she lived 3 weeks after we found out.you have tremendous strength stay strong keep up the fight god bless!!#CANCERSUCKS #GoPackGoRON.
#GoPackGoRon. You hang in there Ron. So glad you could go home to watch the Packers beat the Cowboys from home. God Bless you. You are in my prayers.
#gopackgoron
Keep up the fight Ron!!! Sending thoughts and prayors from Wisconsin..
Hey dad. I want u to know I’m praying for u. Because of you, not only a Packerbacker, But, a Christ-follower. I thank God for you and the rest of the family. Philipians 4:13 says,”I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength.” Keep fighting the good fight,dad. Love you dearly,
Jonathon
stay strong. Sending love and positivity. #gopackgoron!
# gopackgoron keep fighting the fight and Go Packers from this fan in KY
#GOPACKGORON…FOR ANOTHER PACKER WIN!!
My love and prayers continue for you. You are remarkable , your faith will see you through. I will be watching the Packers with you all.
Well Ron, You’ve got thousands of friends praying for you and now The Packer Nation. Hang in there friend.
#GoPackGoRon
GoPACKGoRon
#GOPACKGORON best wishes in your fight!!
This is super cool to see you on here Mr. N! We love you and your family and are grateful to know you. Because of my dad I grew up watching the Packers, and tho I’m not a football fan I still have great memories of watching with my dad. You are a fighter, Ron..keep up the good fight! Prayers! #GoPackGoRon
#GoPackGoRon!
#GoPackGoRon keep fighting, best wishes from this packers from all the way from Texas!
#GoPackGoRon keep fighting and never give up,best wishes from this Packers fan all the way from Texas! GO PACK GO!!!
May God give you strength and healing for the days to come. N let’s see the packers whoop some @$$.! Lol.
Ron, you and the Packers are fighters. Keeo filling up your Packer water tumbler and enjoy the win on Sunday. Love you. Your sis-in-law.
So glad you’ll be able to enjoy the game. In your honor, I think the Packers will win this game.
May the Lords healings be upon you!! Keep fighting the fight!! God bless you and your family!! #GOPACKGORON!!!!
#gopackgoron Hang in there Ron!! A friend of mine, also named Ron, was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer 2 years ago. By the grace of God, he’s still going strong, giving all the glory to God above. I will pray that you will also have such a positive experience. May God bless and keep you! Go Pack Go!
Thank you for this wonderful news about your friend. Ron isn’t just my brother-in-law, he is more a brother. Ron’s faith in Christ and his determination to win this battle is great. #GOPACKERSGORON.
#GoPackGoRon Fight on! Prayers!
From California
Ok, Ron…its time to pack that cancer down into a ball and kick it through the uprights!! I know whatever the outcome, you are going to SCORE, and WIN THIS GAME, just like the Packers will be victorious this Sunday!! You have a special place in my heart…praying for you every day!! #GoPackGoRon
#GOPACKGORON
#GoPackGoRon. I wish you the best and thank you for serving our country. My son and daughter in law are both serving in the Army right now. They both make me vert proud, I recently moved to TX to be full time grammy and help them out with thier little boy. Lets go Packers
Much love Ron ♡ Keep holding on because, we know you’ll make it through! We all bleed green & yellow together ! Go Pack go! ♡♡♡ praying for you all the way from the tip of Texas (: xoxo
Hey Mr Ron l know you are a fighter and GOD LIKE YOUR FIGHT JUST REMEMBER THAT we can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth ME GOD BLESS YOU
GO PACKERS GO RON
Much love and prayers coming your way!
I wish you enough!
Keep Bleeding Green & Gold with the entire Packer Nation right there with you!.
Love you, cousin Ron! Fight on. You are an inspiration to me and many others. Your wonderful family and your faith speak volumes about what a wonderful man you are!!! Big hug, your cousin “Susie”.
#go pack go ron! I’ve lost many family members to that horrible disease (cancer) my prayers are with u and a speedy recovery! God bless you and your family!
go packers!
GOPACKGORON!! God bless you and your family
Stay strong Mr. Ron…The Packernation is praying for you!
Thoughts and well wishes to our fellow Packman! Sending you
healing praying from Fostoria, Ohio…Home of Green Bay’s #33 Micah Hyde! Go Pack Go!!!
#GoPackGoRon
Lifelong Packer-backer and prostate cancer survivor wishing both you and the Pack success in 2015 and beyond!
This is going to be a win-win for both you & the Packers!!! You got this…stay strong!!! #GoPackGoRon
#GoPackGoRon
Ron, I am not normally a Packers fan (you can ask Kip about that, Lol) But our family will be cheering them on loud and proud this Sunday in your honor! We have been and will continue to lift you and Mrs. N up in prayer. Sending you love, hugs and prayers!
#Go Pack Go Ron – you & your family r in my thoughts & prayers……..:)
Woof-out, Ron! I’ve encouraged my Twitter followers up here in #ChiefsKingdom to wear green and send you lots of #GoPackGoRon love. Many blessings to you (and we sure like your son, Kip!) Love, Winston and the Pattersons
Sending up prayers for you Ron. Football is a game, cancer is real life. Hoping for a win for you (and the Packers would be nice) 😉 God Bless You and keep you in the warmth of his love. #GoPackGoRon!!
From a former Wisconsonite who also just moved to Missouri, last January…The battle is the Lord’s, u have the victory already, friend! (Hebrews 13:5 & 6) #GOPACKGORON!!
As a Packer fan living in Arizona I will keep you in my prayers and hope for another Packer win. Keep fighting the good fight. #gopackgoRon.
Much prayers and Aloha coming from Hawaii from a transplanted Wisconsin girl. #GoRonGoPack!!
Much prayers and Aloha coming from Hawaii from a transplanted Wisconsin girl. #GoRonGoPack!!
Been a Packer fan for 50+ years and Packer fans never give up. Stay strong and know many people are cheering you on.
#goRon and go Pack go!
#GORON&GOPAKERSGO#