Jason Duff, a licensed clinical psychologist in the U.S. Navy, was diagnosed with lymphoma in May 2017 after feeling a lump in his neck and throat area, but he was lucky.
The cancer had not metastasized, and he had a skilled surgeon and support from his wife.
After chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, he received a clean bill of health later that year, and has been cancer free ever since.
He worked and exercised during the illness, and today remains an advocate for early detection.
“I had a young family and beautiful wife, and we had plans,” he recalled. “I was focused, energized and motivated to take this on. I didn’t want to die. I had really good care.”
Duff, a graduate of St. Martha and Archbishop Ryan (class of 1992) who has been in the Navy since 2007, said he had a “bountiful” of resources and blessings and wanted to do something for other cancer patients.
He recalls how “heavily” it hit him when he heard the word “cancer,” which to him seemed a lot worse than the word “lymphoma.”
After doing some research, he teamed with Cancer Support Community Greater Philadelphia, which provides free emotional and social support as well as educational resources. CSC serves men, women and children with cancer and their family and friends, along with cancer survivors and people who are grieving the loss of someone to cancer.
“I wanted to do something for back home, and I was fortunate enough to connect with CSC,” said Duff, a Navy commander who serves as director of the Midshipmen Development Center at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. “They offer 150 different programs at no cost, and I love that it’s across a spectrum.”
A former DJ who has friends who are musicians who like to give back, Duff created Mission: Possible, a live music concert that benefits CSC. The first concert was in 2018.
The fifth concert is planned for Sunday, Feb. 16, from noon to 8 p.m., at Craft Hall, 901 N. Delaware Ave. The event is family friendly and will include drink specials, food and drink packages, raffles and a 50-50.
“It’s an entire day of live music,” Duff said. “We can have fun and bring people together. And we want to educate people at Mission: Possible. We don’t shy away from hard subjects.”
Duff is thankful for the support he’s received over the last few years, including during COVID in 2020, when he was stationed in San Diego and organized a virtual event that raised $9,000.
“People are really passionate,” he said.
Duff grew up as the oldest of three boys. Brother Jeremy has served in the Army and as a Philadelphia police officer. Brother Justin has served in the Philadelphia Fire Department.
After graduating from Ryan, Duff attended Widener University, earning a nursing degree in 1996, and then received a master’s in nursing from Medical College of Pennsylvania Hahnemann/Drexel University in 2000. He graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine with both a master’s in Clinical Psychology (2005) and a Doctor of Clinical Psychology (2008). He worked as a nurse, a psychiatric nurse practitioner and as an adjunct college professor at Widener.
Duff’s Navy career has included numerous assignments due to his diverse skill set. He’s had two overseas deployments, earned numerous decorations and served as an adjunct faculty member in the psychology department at PCOM.
“I’m really fortunate to be in this community that is the United States Navy,” he said.
Duff and his wife Trisha have three sons: Wyland (12), Weston (11) and Declan (5). The two oldest boys, born in Japan when Duff was stationed in Okinawa, were around when their dad was diagnosed with lymphoma.
Duff said his wife and sons are big supporters of Mission: Possible. In fact, Weston, who just celebrated his 11th birthday at a Navy basketball game, asked that anyone planning on giving him a gift instead make a donation to CSC. ••
Tickets are $40 and available at https://cancersupportphiladelphia.org/missionpossible/. To make a donation or for more information, go to https://www.missionpossiblephilly.com/.
