Arctic Compression LLC Supports Employee Diagnosis with Cancer

DULUTH, Minn. — This weekend, a family-owned Superior-based company is supporting one of their employees, who has recently been diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

Jesse Porter started in the engineering department at Arctic Compression LLC last year. The company manufactures breathing air tanks for fire and rescue teams.

Since his start Porter has helped the company launch their new ALL POWER Mobile Air Trailer, which is a portable air supply trailer.

But a few months ago, Porter started to struggle with swallowing foods and drinks. He was shortly diagnosis with esophageal cancer.

“So in September of 2024, Jesse was diagnosed with esophageal cancer that’s really affected his ability to work in-person these last five or six months. So we’ve been really flexible with him, allowing remote work and helping him out where he can,” said Steve Talaga, the director of engineering. “We also started a PTO donation program here in Arctic where other people would donate their hard-earned time to him. I believe in the first round, we actually got him over 200 hours of paid time off to use, which was a big help as he was navigating this.”

The benefit is called Jesse’s Journey: A Benefit of Hope and is Saturday between 1 to 5 p.m. at the All-American Club, West Duluth, Minn.

They plan to have tacos and nachos available, a 50/50 raffle, and a silent auction.

Plus if you grab a flyer to Texas Roadhouse this upcoming Monday the 17th, 10% of your meal’s cost will help go towards Porter’s treatment and recovery. The Spice and Teas Exchange will also be donating a portion of their profits through April 1st.

Jesse Porter also used to work at Fox21 as one of our directors.

For more information on the benefit visit the event’s Facebook page.