Jason Henningsen was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in October 2012 at the age of 39. Doctors removed 2 large sections of colon bust saw that the cancer had spread through Jason's liver as well. So, as soon as he healed from surgery, Jason began bi-weekly chemotherapy which kept the cancer “in check” for 3 years. During this time, he continued to work full-time. The chemo stopped being effective and Jason was referred for hospice services in July 2015. He died peacefully at home on September 20, 2015 at the age of 42.

Jason was an avid sports fan and loved to golf, especially with his friends and family. And even though he didn't have children of his own, he had a special place in his heart for kids, especially his nephews and nieces. Because of his love for kids, Jason chose St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as the beneficiary of his memorial. His legacy is to help improve the health and well-being of children with cancer and other illnesses and advance scientific research in hopes of finding better treatments, and ultimately cures, for cancer.