Jessie’s Journey of Hope

Hi, my name is Felicia, I’m connected to Jessie through her mom Melanie Nickel, aka Mrs. Nickle at Roots and Wings Preschool in Calgary. Mrs. Nickel has held so many children and now more than ever needs to hold her own child, Jessie.

Jessie is a 2nd year University student to become a teacher. She loves her cat, house plants and rock climbing both indoors and outdoors. She has also coached children gymnastics and climbing. At this time Jessie is facing a medical journey. Jessie has recently been diagnosed with tumors in her brain as well as spinal fluid. Her largest is a walnut sized tumor in her 3rd ventricle. It has a BRAF V600 mutation and surgery isn’t an option due to its location.

With this, her treatment team has chosen a course of treatment. Although we do live in Canada and are fortunate to have Universal Health Care, this does not cover loss of time at work, expenses that come along with hospital stays and visits (parking and food etc). Not all medications are 100% covered and these medications can be very costly. Also not covered, are expenses related to effects from treatment, such as retrieving and freezing eggs in order to give Jessie the choice having her own children one day. Due to needing to start treatment, the option to freeze eggs is an urgent decision. The price of this could be $14k. Jessie is only 19 years old and to make this an option for her would be a dream.

Jessie’s mom has given so much to so many children over the years in her role as a Preschool teacher. This family is carrying a heavy weight. My hope is we can come together and take some weight off this family, as they have helped so many other families, time and time again.