Jakob was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in August of 2016 at the age of 11. He immediately started treatment at Stony Brook Hospital. Due to the immuno-suppression caused by chemotherapy, frequent trips to the cancer center and many hospital stays, Jakob was home schooled for the majority of his 6th grade year. His first step into his middle school was to attend a St. Baldrick's event in his honor. He almost did not make it due to his immunity plummeting in the days prior to the event. With a little persuasion, his oncologist permitted him to attend as long as he wore a mask and made a brief visit. This was the first of many St. Baldrick's events where he was honored.  

During Jakob's middle school and high school years he was a member of the football, lacrosse and track teams. Having a love of music, he played his cello for the symphony, chamber and pit orchestras as well as the electric guitar for the jazz band. He was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated Cum Laude in 2023. Currently, Jakob is a freshman at Gettysburg College with a major in political science.