Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Ten years later, I am healthy, married to my love, with a baby pup and a beautiful daughter. In order to ensure more patients receive the same happy ending I was so blessed to have, I will once again be participating in the Jimmy Fund Walk, and for the 6th year in a row, I will be leading Team Neuk the Leuk, specifically raising funds for the man who saved my life, Dr. DeAngelo and his research team. Contributions to my walk contribute his team, who work tirelessly each and every day, year in and year out, to find treatments and cures for those sorts of cancers that do not yet have a treatment plan like I was so lucky to have.
In 2014, the year I was diagnosed, I had fundraised and was supposed to be walking alongside many of my friends and family who had so kindly made a team in my honor. I had every intention on walking with them, but side effects of chemo placed me in the hospital unable to get out of bed for many weeks. I remember feeling so crushed that I didn’t get to “be out there.” I could see the walkers from my window in the Brigham, and while I felt sad, I also had an incredible amount of hope because of the confidence I had in my medical team, that I would be out there one year. Every year since I finished chemo in 2016, I’ve been out there, healthy, and strong. The last two years, I have started the route at Dana-Farber, similar to how I have in the past, but now pushing a stroller with my little angel baby inside. Walking over the finish line with Cora on my hip, are moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life – because as I crossed over the finish line, a 33 and 34-year-old happy, thankful mama, that sad 25-year-old, all hooked up on machines looking out the hospital window has come back to me. It may not be me anymore, but she’s there right now. And there will be many more to come. And they all deserve the hope that I felt that day in 2014. That’s why I fundraise. It is never lost on me how truly lucky I am, but in those moments, I could feel it in every fiber of my being.
Over the past 6 years, we have raised $82,855 for Dr. D's research team -- in honor of my decade diagnosis anniversary, my goal is to hit $100,000! I would so appreciate your support -- every donation makes a difference and I can assure you, the funds go to the best out there!
Love and light,
Jess
