Coffee, Courage, and Community: Jacob Doney’s Life Beyond a Brain Cancer Diagnosis

When I meet someone for coffee, we usually find a local shop, pull up a chair, and start visiting.

Jacob Doney had something different in mind.

We met at Giant Springs, where he brought his own portable coffee setup and made espresso outdoors. Watching him unpack his equipment, prepare the coffee, and explain how everything fit together, I could see how much he enjoyed sharing it.

Jacob is a tattoo artist, an outdoor enthusiast, and someone who can turn a cup of coffee into an experience. He is also 35 years old and facing a rare brain cancer.

Our conversation made room for all of it.

A diagnosis that changed daily life

In his written account, Jacob explained that he went to the doctor on July 26 believing he might be having a stroke. CT and MRI scans revealed a golf-ball-sized tumor in the frontal and parietal regions of his brain.

Sixteen days later, he underwent an awake craniotomy to remove as much of the tumor as safely possible.

During our visit, Jacob described looking at flashcards and being asked to move his hands and feet while the surgical team worked. Those checks helped the team monitor his abilities during the procedure.

According to Jacob, removing the entire tumor would have risked serious damage to his movement and speech. Part of it had to remain.

On September 11, his pathology report identified the cancer as oligodendroglioma.

Jacob says he is now taking vorasidenib, a medication his oncologist recommended with the goal of delaying chemotherapy and radiation. His care includes frequent blood tests to monitor his liver and regular MRI scans to watch the remaining tumor.

There are also continuing appointments and trips to Billings, bringing travel expenses alongside the medical bills.

Finding his way through recovery

For a tattoo artist, changes in sensation, movement, and concentration affect the very skills that make work possible.

Jacob described altered feeling in his hand, difficulty with memory, and moments when sound and activity become overwhelming. He has been unable to work and drive, and he is navigating what recovery may allow him to do next.

His partner, Sierra, works in home healthcare and has been an important source of support through those changes.

Jacob spoke openly about the challenges. He also kept returning to the things he enjoys: coffee, his dogs, hiking, and connecting with people.

“I'm still having fun,” he told me.

That outlook does not erase the uncertainty he faces. It gives him something to carry into it.

Creativity—and plans for what comes next

Jacob has spent roughly eight years tattooing in Great Falls. Before his diagnosis, he also combined his interests through a project he calledInk and Coffee, making espresso and interviewing people while tattooing them.

It makes sense after spending time with him. He enjoys the equipment and the process, but he also enjoys the conversation that happens around a cup.

Now, he is considering another possibility: a coffee stand at the farmers market if returning to tattooing proves difficult.

It is an idea he is exploring as he works through recovery.

The outdoors remain part of that future, too. Jacob talked enthusiastically about Glacier National Park, favorite trails, and his hope of getting back to hiking as his recovery allows.

A chance for our community to show up

A cancer benefit and silent auction for Jacob—also known as Jake—is planned for November 7 at The Do Bar. Time to be announced as things get finalized.

Individuals and local businesses can help by donating auction items, gift baskets, or gift certificates. To arrange a donation, contact Jacob through Facebook or call 406-344-0532.

Being unable to work has added financial pressure while Jacob continues treatment and recovery. Contributing an auction item, attending the benefit, or sharing the flyer are practical ways to support him.

As we wrapped up our coffee at Giant Springs, I was grateful Jacob had invited me to sit down with him. We talked about cancer, but we also talked about art, mountains, dogs, and really good coffee.

That is the person I want our community to meet: a creative, generous man navigating a difficult diagnosis while continuing to make plans for his future.

Let’s help ease some of the weight Jacob is carrying. If you or your business can contribute to the silent auction, reach out. Every contribution is an opportunity to show him that his community is beside him. If you have an opportunity to support Jacob, offer practical help, or share his story, please consider it. Helping ease the financial pressure can give him more room to focus on his care—and the life he is working toward.

If you want to follow Jake on his journey, follow his page at https://www.facebook.com/tattoodoney