Cancer, Lightning & House Fire

"Akwata empola atuuka wala or step by step one reaches a long distance." This is Jackie's favorite Ugandan Proverb and she applies it to her life. She has devoted her life to helping others while traveling with the international troupe, Up With People; serving in Uganda as a Peace Corps Volunteer; her career as a Licensed School Counselor; and most importantly, as a mother and a wife.

Jackie was diagnosed at the age of 45 with breast cancer that metastasized into her lymph nodes in the summer of 2016. She has undergone surgery, cancer treatments and continues immunotherapy. Her medical expenses continue to grow with her travel and treatments.

If the family did not have enough on their plate...in March 2017, the family's house was struck by lightening by the tallest and biggest white pine in their yard. They lost their furnace, appliances and just about everything electrical in their home. 

Unbeknownst to them it was a lightening strike until two weeks later when they had an electrical house fire. They have extensive damage to their home and smoke damage throughout. They were lucky Adam was home, saw the flames, and started extinguishing the fire, or it would have been a complete loss. The family is currently displaced from their home and have a lot of work ahead of them. The crews are still cleaning up the damage and reconstruction has not started so they do not know when they will be able to return home. Meanwhile, Jackie bravely continues her cancer treatments and journey.

They have medical expenses and other bills from the lightening and fire. It is time to lend a hand to the Extrand Family. 

"Akwata empola or step by step" they will rebuild their lives with your prayers, thoughts and contributions. Thank you for your giving!