Rare Stroke Leaves 19-Year-Old Jessica Paralyzed

19-year-old Jessica was healthy, full of life, and pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian — until multiple strokes left her paralyzed. She needs a $100,000 medevac from Honolulu to Michigan for life-changing specialty care. Please help us bring Jessica home. #BringJessicaHome #StrokeAwareness #HelpJessicaHeal #PrayersForJessica #YoungStrokeSurvivor #MedicalEmergency #MichiganStrong #KauaiStrong

Jessica Marchant, daughter of Tammi Victorino and Mark Marchant of Kauai, Hawaii, has always been the picture of happiness and helpfulness — the kind of person whose smile could light up a room. Growing up on the island of Kauai, she was a bubbly, energetic girl who loved being around people and helping wherever she could. She attended Wilcox Elementary and Kapaa Middle School, where she enjoyed her time in yearbook and art.

The summer before high school, Jessica and her mom moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, to be with her sister, Chloe Brown, who was expecting a baby. Jessica quickly became a fantastic aunt to her two nieces, ages 3 and 4. She was always the first to volunteer to take them to the beach, park, or library, showering them with love and making every moment an adventure!

Jessica thrived in Michigan, graduating from East Grand Rapids High School at the top of her class and excelling in honors and the IB program. She earned a scholarship to Michigan State University, where she planned to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian because of her deep love for animals.

After graduation, Jessica and her mom moved back to Kauai to help her grandmother relocate to Michigan. While there, Jessica enrolled in undergraduate classes at the University of Hawaii and worked full-time at Petco, preparing to begin her studies at MSU.

But just days after her 19th birthday, everything changed. She went to bed healthy but woke up with sudden neck pain that spread down her leg, followed by numbness on one side of her body. After hours of unknowns and misdiagnosis, she was medevaced to Kaiser in Honolulu, where doctors discovered she had suffered multiple strokes.

The initial cause of the clotting is still unknown and under active investigation. The doctors are working with numerous out-of-state physicians to hopefully find some answers. These blood clots traveled to the back of her brain and her spine. These led to her having strokes that caused brain tissue damage and paralysis. She is still at risk for another stroke, and doctors are still searching for answers as to why this happened to someone so young and healthy. 

The goal is to get Jessica to Michigan, where she can receive advanced stroke care and ongoing rehab, all while being surrounded by family and friends. However, to give her the care she needs, the cost solely to medevac her from Honolulu to Michigan is close to $100,000 — far beyond what our family can manage.

The emotional and financial burden is overwhelming, and the road to recovery will be long and uncertain.

We are asking for your help to:

❤️‍ Cover the cost of Jessica’s medical transport to Michigan

❤️‍ Support her ongoing medical care and rehabilitation

❤️‍ Help with living expenses during her recovery

Our family is heartbroken and scared, but we are determined to do everything possible to give Jessica the best chance at recovery. Any amount you can give will make a difference. If you cannot donate, please keep Jessica in your prayers and share her story. Her doctors share that patients with large ongoing support systems are where they see those "miracle recoveries." Help Jessica live her life to the fullest!

Thank you for standing with us during this unimaginable time.