Jenni's Life Support Fund

In early 2012 my sister Jennifer Caldwell, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in her right frontal lobe. 

Jenni was a healthy 42-year-old, self-employed, self-reliant woman. She had no signs or symptoms of ill health until unexpectedly she suffered a grand mal seizure. Understandably she was carried by ambulance to the hospital where an MRI led to the discovery of a Stage III Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma. Brain cancer. A terminal brain cancer. Her life was changed forever.

Two days later surgeons removed Jenni's entire right frontal lobe. Because the mass exceeded the boundaries of the right hemisphere part of the tumor was left untouched. Removing these remaining areas of tumor would have been catastrophic to Jenni leaving her unable to function in any capacity. Her only hope was to receive chemotherapy to keep the tumor from further growth. However, we were warned that it wasn't a matter of "if" the tumor would return or grow, it was of matter of "when." The chemo was a measure to prolong life. It was not a cure.


Although the cancer has been held at bay for these last five years, we recently learned that the tumor is growing again.

The accumulative effect of surgery, chemotherapy, and the reoccurrence of the cancer have combined to create new challenges for Jenni. She has physical and psychological difficulty, reducing her ability to produce the income to cover all of her expenses. Caring for her immediate and long-term financial needs has become a stuggle.

Within the past few years, Jennifer has been in pre-foreclosure twice with her mortgage company, her car is in disrepair, and she has been late on utility payments which incur additional fees and expenses. She has exhausted her savings, retirement funds, and is not eligible for Social Security Disability at this time. Jenni has health insurance, yet expensens such as deductables, co-pays, supplements, palliative care and travel costs are not covered. 

Jennifer maintains almost full-time employment as a cashier at a local grocery store and continues to perform limited scoping and deposition work as a court reporter. However, her ongoing medical, personal, and housing expenses continue to exceed her monthly income.

While several generous organizations like the Glenn Garcelon Foundation, Small Miracles of Coupeville, and family and friends have helped to support these financial needs, more support is needed. This Go Fund Me page is an effort to help relieve some of Jennifer's financial burden and stress associated with the effects of living with brain cancer.


The primary purpose of this fundraising effort is to assist Jenni with existing medical expenses not covered by insurance, including supplements, medications, tests, and doctor visits and to enable her to undergo treatment associated with her diagnosis and the reoccurance of this cancer. Additionally, these funds will assist her in housing and living expenses when necessary.



My dad, Tom Schara, has agreed to administer these funds to support Jennifer in the manner described here.

My family and I are incredibily grateful for your consideration and support. Thank you for your generosity!

Traci York