Young biologist surprises his family by "planning life after his death" including finding a job for his wife

A young biologist who died of lymphoma left more than one legacy after dedicating his final days to ensuring that his wife and daughter survive a future for them. Jeff McKnight, a 36-year-old molecular biologist at the University of Oregon, launched a GoFundMe campaign in early October to raise money for his wife Laura and their 8-year-old daughter, Katherine. Knowing he was only a few days old, McKnight explained on the fundraising page that his "greatest fear" was that his family would not have enough resources when he died.

"I am dying of lymphoma," wrote McKnight. “My wife, Laura, was nothing but a heroine during this time. He's about to lose two entries (mine and his) while managing and researching a laboratory we shared together ”. “My life insurance is minimal thanks to academia and our savings are almost non-existent,” he continued. "Please consider supporting her during my absence." McKnight also shared GoFundMe on his Twitter, writing, “Doc said maybe it was a week or so away. In the emergency room for comfort care. Thank you all for fighting with me. " Since then, the page has raised over $ 400.000, leaving his family surprised at how his devoted father planned his life after his death.

“I didn't know about the GoFundMe he created until I saw it on Twitter… I cried, a lot,” Laura told TODAY. “He was relieved and grateful that people contributed, and it made him feel better to do something to take care of us, but it broke my heart a little that he was worried and to see the inevitability of his death written in white. and black just hit me hard. McKnight passed away on October 4, just days after launching the GoFundMe campaign for his family, according to the University of Oregon. “It's so sad that we lost Jeff, who did so much to support that spirit here, and we will continue to do so even in his absence,” Bruce Bowerman, head of the OU's Biology Department, said in a statement. "Jeff was extraordinary for being both an exceptional scientist and an extraordinarily kind and compassionate colleague." McKnight's wife works as a manager of his research lab at the school. However, according to Laura, her husband made sure he had other opportunities planned for her after her death.