Jada's Journey

A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world.  This statement became true for me August of 2012 when my son Ethan was born.   This statement also became true for my strong and humble friend Jasmine in 2000, 2004 and 2016, when her three daughters were born.  Jada, her middle child, possesses a sweet, loving and amazing spirit.  She was diagnosed in 2011, at 8 years old, with a large JPA (Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytomas) Brain Tumor.
Since her diagnosis, she has had 2 brain surgeries in attempts to remove the brain tumor of which both were unsuccessful.  Jada had 2 full rounds of chemo in 2011 and 2015, both went over a course of 60 weeks.  In 2015 she had her VP shunt (ventriculoperitoneal shunt- a medical device that relieves pressure on the brain caused by fluid accumulation) exchanged as it was malfunctioning.  She finished her last round of chemo in Sept 2016 and in Dec 2017 after a few weeks of bad headaches, nausea, and vomiting, an MRI showed Tumor Growth as well as a need to change her VP shunt once again.  Her parents are now reluctant to try any further chemo treatments due to the unknown long-term effects it can have on her growing body and especially brain tissue growth. They have sought out 4 different opinions from top medical centers and neurosurgeons across the country and in the process have found Dr. Frederick Boop at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, located in Memphis Tennessee. He will be attempting tumor removal using the IMRI (Intra-operative MRI). They are hopeful that he will remove at least 70-80% of the tumor and Jada will have a quick and easy recovery.  Her procedure is taking place in a couple of weeks (January 2018) and her medical expenses are considered “out of network.”  Any way we can assist this beautiful family would be a blessing. Let us create the possibility of love for this amazing, energetic, and loving 13-year-old superstar.