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It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Jack
Highlights
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MenteeJacek Polak
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DiagnosisMetastatic lung cancer
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Age of the Ward37 years
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Location
Highlights
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Purpose of the collectionMedications, rehabilitation, costs of ongoing treatment
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DiagnosisMetastatic lung cancer
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Age37 years
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Location
Update
It is with deep and sincere sadness that we received the news of Jacek's passing.
We will remember him as an exceptional person: full of kindness, warmth, and inner warmth, which he was able to share with others even in the most ordinary moments of everyday life. Today, all that remains of him is a silence that cannot be filled, and memories that will stay with us for many years to come. We extend our most sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to the family and all loved ones. We stand with you in your grief, in our thoughts and in our hearts. June 29, 2026
Explore the history of
There were no warning signs.
Jacek wasn't sick and didn't feel any worrying symptoms. The pain came on suddenly, at a moment that should have been filled with the simple joy of spending time together.
A compression fracture of the spine was the starting point for the diagnosis. During the examination,doctors discovered a small lesion in the lung and numerous lesions in the bones. The diagnosis was adenocarcinoma of the lung with metastases.

A small tumor that acted with unusual aggression
The change in the lung was minor, but the disease had already spread to the lymph nodes and skeletal system. The metastases affected the spine, ribs, sternum, shoulder joint, and ankle joint. The diagnosis left no doubt as to the advanced stage of the disease.
Treatment has become an everyday occurrence
Since October 2024, Jacek has been undergoing targeted therapy. The following months brought radiotherapy covering changes in the spine and pelvic bones. In February 2026, stereotactic irradiation of the shoulder blade was performed. Preparations are underway for further treatment of subsequent foci of the disease.
This is accompanied by regular oncology visits and palliative care, which aims to alleviate pain and improve quality of life.
The body bears the burden of therapy
Treatment is associated with complications: anemia, thrombocytopenia, and general weakness. Skin lesions and inflammation of the respiratory and digestive systems occur. These difficulties, although not visible from the outside, significantly limit daily functioning.
The home has changed its meaning
Jacek stays at home under the care of his wife and thirteen-year-old son. The disease has robbed him of his ability to work and support his family on his own. His loved ones are also struggling with the burden of this situation. His wife and son are receiving psychological care, learning to live in a reality filled with uncertainty and constant tension.
The hardest thing is feeling helpless in the face of pain.
The disease brought not only physical limitations, but also the experience of helplessness in the face of suffering that cannot always be immediately alleviated. It is a daily routine built around treatment, doctor's appointments, and attempts to maintain mental balance.
Ordinary things take on new meaning
Jacek has always valued sports, cycling, and spending time with a book. Today, these simple forms of presence in life help maintain a sense of normality and continuity. His family faces a time that requires not only treatment, but also the strength to function in the reality of chronic illness and constant uncertainty.
It just happens in a smaller space, between the good days and the ones you just have to get through.