Jaclyn Coppola's Treatment Fund
Donation protected
Our Girl
Jaclyn is a beloved family member, amazing friend, and cherished school counselor at Hunterdon Central Regional High School in Flemington, NJ. She has had a positive impact on so many individuals around her, and is always there for anyone who needs help and support. Jaclyn’s contagious smile and fun loving spirit makes her someone you always want to be around.
Seizures, Tumor, & Surgery
Sadly, on the evening of Sunday, February 21st and into the early morning hours of Monday, February 22nd, Jaclyn suffered from several Grand mal (tonic-clonic) seizures and was rushed to Hunterdon Medical Center. With her mom and a friend by her side, MRI and CT Scan results revealed a golf ball-sized tumor on Jaclyn’s brain. After being counseled by doctors and collecting recommendations Jaclyn was transferred to Pennsylvania Hospital for surgery. The operation was performed by Dr. John Y.K. Lee, one of the leading neurosurgeons in the nation. Just four days after her hospital admittance, Dr. Lee successfully removed most of the tumor on Friday, February 26th. Post-surgery, Dr. Lee advised that he thought the tumor was non-malignant, a huge relief!
Rehabilitation
Several days after surgery on Wednesday, March 2nd, Jaclyn was discharged to St. Lawrence Rehabilitation in Lawrenceville, NJ. She was required to undergo several hours daily of occupational, speech, and physical therapy in order to improve her memory and regain strength and coordination that was lost in her left arm, hand, and leg. Because Jaclyn worked so hard in rehab and saw such quick results, she was able to be discharged in less than one week.
Diagnosis
The previous good news was quickly overshadowed when on Monday, March 7th, the pathology results were delivered and indicated that Jaclyn suffers from Grade III Brain Cancer (anaplastic astrocytoma). This was a shock to everyone, especially since most patients with this cancerous brain tumor are in their 50’s. Dr. Lee was able to remove approximately 80-95% of the tumor but the nature of the cancer will require aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatment over the next several weeks in order to manage further growth.
Treatment
Jaclyn will meet with the Pennsylvania Hospital oncologist and radiologist this week to learn more details about their proposed treatment plan. She is also planning to collect several additional opinions from other highly regarded hospitals. Once her plan is determined, she will start treatment as soon as possible. It is likely that the treatment will have serious side effects. Friends and family have already stepped up and offered monetary help, emotional support, and her Aunt Judy and Mom, Jill, will be reducing their hours at work as necessary to help care for Jaclyn. Jaclyn will have to be driven to radiation therapy daily for up to six consecutive weeks (as she cannot drive on seizure medication). Potential treatment locations include Philadelphia, New York, Texas, Maryland, and North Carolina. We plan to use this site to keep everyone apprised of her treatment plan and progress as it unfolds.
Expenses
Copays for Chemo and Radiation can add up to over $5,000 per month. Through research and personal friends’ experiences, we’ve concluded that there will be expenses that will far exceed what insurance will cover including travel, housing, food, gas, reimbursing lost wages of friends and family, medicine, and the list goes on. The Brain Tumor Foundation estimates the cost of treating a brain tumor can reach $700,000 in a lifetime. Our goal is to ensure that money doesn't become a stressor as we do our best to support Jaclyn. Our plan is to do anything needed to achieve the absolute best prognosis, no matter where in the country that turns out to be.
Please Donate
At 32 years-young, Jaclyn is a courageous and strong woman who deserves all the tools for the best treatment plan, support, and recovery. You can help her tackle this today by making a donation. Our hope is she will be fully cured and any money remaining from this fundraiser can be put back into cancer research. Throughout the last three weeks, Jaclyn has been positive, realistic, and resilient. She continues to comfort her family and friends with positivity and laughter in true Jaclyn fashion. She has been so fortunate to have family and friends to lean on and comfort her every single day. Jaclyn is temporarily residing with her mother Jill in Lebanon, NJ. Jill will be caring for her throughout treatment and rehabilitation. Thank you so much for your kindness.
“Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right.” Grateful Dead
Jaclyn is a beloved family member, amazing friend, and cherished school counselor at Hunterdon Central Regional High School in Flemington, NJ. She has had a positive impact on so many individuals around her, and is always there for anyone who needs help and support. Jaclyn’s contagious smile and fun loving spirit makes her someone you always want to be around.
Seizures, Tumor, & Surgery
Sadly, on the evening of Sunday, February 21st and into the early morning hours of Monday, February 22nd, Jaclyn suffered from several Grand mal (tonic-clonic) seizures and was rushed to Hunterdon Medical Center. With her mom and a friend by her side, MRI and CT Scan results revealed a golf ball-sized tumor on Jaclyn’s brain. After being counseled by doctors and collecting recommendations Jaclyn was transferred to Pennsylvania Hospital for surgery. The operation was performed by Dr. John Y.K. Lee, one of the leading neurosurgeons in the nation. Just four days after her hospital admittance, Dr. Lee successfully removed most of the tumor on Friday, February 26th. Post-surgery, Dr. Lee advised that he thought the tumor was non-malignant, a huge relief!
Rehabilitation
Several days after surgery on Wednesday, March 2nd, Jaclyn was discharged to St. Lawrence Rehabilitation in Lawrenceville, NJ. She was required to undergo several hours daily of occupational, speech, and physical therapy in order to improve her memory and regain strength and coordination that was lost in her left arm, hand, and leg. Because Jaclyn worked so hard in rehab and saw such quick results, she was able to be discharged in less than one week.
Diagnosis
The previous good news was quickly overshadowed when on Monday, March 7th, the pathology results were delivered and indicated that Jaclyn suffers from Grade III Brain Cancer (anaplastic astrocytoma). This was a shock to everyone, especially since most patients with this cancerous brain tumor are in their 50’s. Dr. Lee was able to remove approximately 80-95% of the tumor but the nature of the cancer will require aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatment over the next several weeks in order to manage further growth.
Treatment
Jaclyn will meet with the Pennsylvania Hospital oncologist and radiologist this week to learn more details about their proposed treatment plan. She is also planning to collect several additional opinions from other highly regarded hospitals. Once her plan is determined, she will start treatment as soon as possible. It is likely that the treatment will have serious side effects. Friends and family have already stepped up and offered monetary help, emotional support, and her Aunt Judy and Mom, Jill, will be reducing their hours at work as necessary to help care for Jaclyn. Jaclyn will have to be driven to radiation therapy daily for up to six consecutive weeks (as she cannot drive on seizure medication). Potential treatment locations include Philadelphia, New York, Texas, Maryland, and North Carolina. We plan to use this site to keep everyone apprised of her treatment plan and progress as it unfolds.
Expenses
Copays for Chemo and Radiation can add up to over $5,000 per month. Through research and personal friends’ experiences, we’ve concluded that there will be expenses that will far exceed what insurance will cover including travel, housing, food, gas, reimbursing lost wages of friends and family, medicine, and the list goes on. The Brain Tumor Foundation estimates the cost of treating a brain tumor can reach $700,000 in a lifetime. Our goal is to ensure that money doesn't become a stressor as we do our best to support Jaclyn. Our plan is to do anything needed to achieve the absolute best prognosis, no matter where in the country that turns out to be.
Please Donate
At 32 years-young, Jaclyn is a courageous and strong woman who deserves all the tools for the best treatment plan, support, and recovery. You can help her tackle this today by making a donation. Our hope is she will be fully cured and any money remaining from this fundraiser can be put back into cancer research. Throughout the last three weeks, Jaclyn has been positive, realistic, and resilient. She continues to comfort her family and friends with positivity and laughter in true Jaclyn fashion. She has been so fortunate to have family and friends to lean on and comfort her every single day. Jaclyn is temporarily residing with her mother Jill in Lebanon, NJ. Jill will be caring for her throughout treatment and rehabilitation. Thank you so much for your kindness.
“Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right.” Grateful Dead
Organizer and beneficiary
Matthew B Hanson
Organizer
Lambertville, NJ
Jaclyn Coppola
Beneficiary
