Dear Donors & Supporters of Dear Jack Foundation,
No one ever thinks they’ll get cancer, especially before the age of 30, but cancer doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care what age, race, gender, or social status you are. It doesn’t care if you just started getting your life on track, which is what happened to me. I had recently moved to New York City and started a new job in a new career field. I was ready to take on the world! Then cancer happened.
On December 13th, 2018, my life was flipped upside down. I was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer after undergoing a colonoscopy. I had complained of stomach issues for as long as I can remember, and finally made time to see a gastroenterologist. He found a tumor that was almost completely blocking my colon. I didn’t know what to think. Colorectal cancer is supposed to be for “old people,” or at least that’s what I thought, but it’s actually on the rise in young adults.
I started treatment right away at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. I underwent 8 chemo treatments, countless trips to the ER, 6 weeks of radiation, and then finally surgery in October 2019 to remove my entire colon and give me an ileostomy bag.
It’s no secret that cancer sucks and it affects everyone differently. My Dad was diagnosed around the same time I was with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, and was able to work throughout his treatment. I was unable to continue working and went into a deep depression. Dear Jack’s Life List helped pull me out of a very dark place. They gave me something to look forward to.
Through Dear Jack I was able to attend a Boston Bruins Stanley Cup game, stay the night in Washington D.C. and see John Mayer in concert, and see Hadestown on Broadway. I also got Apple AirPods to help pass the time during treatments. Dear Jack gave me so many experiences I would have never been able to afford on my own, which is all thanks to people like you who have made a donation! No matter how big or small, your donation is going directly to help make someone’s dreams come true.
Many Thanks,
Janet
LifeList Program Participant