Jenn Ashcraft is a survivor the first attack and bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993. She suffered the horrific second attack on September 11 2001.
While those events shocked the world, for Jenn the effects did not end when the headlines faded. She was a young adult starting her life and career in New York with so many dreams that came to an end as she spent many years trying to recover the physical challenges, mental trauma and mortal injury.
For more than three decades, Jenn has lived with the physical and emotional consequences of the trauma she experienced during those attacks. Since 1993, she has suffered from unexplained and often debilitating medical symptoms that doctors have struggled to fully understand.
Despite these challenges, Jenn chose a life of service.
After September 11, she began volunteering with the American Red Cross, dedicating herself to helping victims of disasters and traumatic events in her community. This included public education, teaching fire safety to school children as well as organizing fundraisers and donation drive for local veterans. It was her way of honoring the brave first responders who risked their lives and the many people who lost theirs during those tragic days.
Jenn has spent years helping others through their darkest moments.
Now she needs our help.
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Injuries and Health Issues Following the 1993 World Trade Center Bombing
Jenn suffered significant physical and neurological trauma following the attack, including:
• Ruptured middle ear
• Dislocated left jaw (later corrected through surgery)
• Severe electrical shock sensations traveling through her skull, arms, hands, and legs
Metal shrapnel pieces of metal found and lodged inside legs and feet, some had to be surgically removed.
• Chronic ringing in her ears that has never stopped
• Blood cell abnormalities discovered in testing after the attack
• Lasting emotional and psychological trauma
PTSI [Post Traumatic Stress Injury]
These symptoms marked the beginning of a lifelong struggle with her health.
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Health Impact After September 11, 2001
After the September 11 attacks, Jenn’s condition worsened.
She experienced more severe trauma responses and neurological symptoms, including:
• Conversion Syndrome, causing disruptions in brain signals
• Sudden loss of the use of her left leg and right arm
• Blacking out
Hospitalization and weeks of recovery
In 20014, due to overwhelming medical conditions and piling medical bills, she finally lost her home, the only place she had for recovery and healing.
Mayo Clinic declared her disabled, but she was denied Social Security benefits.
With the help of trauma specialists at a local Veterans Combat Center, Jenn received critical trauma therapy during this time. Although she was not a member of the military, professionals in her community stepped forward to help her recover from the overwhelming shock of what she had experienced.
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Jenn’s Current Medical Crisis
Today, Jenn is facing a new and frightening medical battle.
Doctors have recently diagnosed her with serious autoimmune diseases, and she is experiencing severe symptoms including:
• Abnormal and speckled red blood cells
• Hemorrhaging, bleeding nail cuticles
• Hemorrhaging, bleeding hair follicles on her head
• Painful skin wounds that appear overnight
• Severe inflammation throughout her body and skull
• Constant and sometimes unbearable physical pain
PTSI (Post Traumatic Stress Injury)
Damage to retina and vision
In addition, doctors have discovered tumors in her lungs, and urgent testing is needed to determine whether cancer is present before beginning critical treatments.
Jenn’s medical team at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix has recommended specialized scans, immunotherapy treatments, antibody replacement and infusions and ongoing care.
Unfortunately, some of these necessary procedures have already been denied by insurance, leaving Jenn responsible for significant out-of-pocket expenses just to move forward with the care she urgently needs.
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A Lifetime of Quiet Strength
For decades, Jenn has carried this burden quietly.
She worked as many as three jobs at a time to pay medical expenses. At times she even sold personal belongings—including jewelry, furniture, and household items—just to afford the care she needed.
Despite experiencing and being impacted by two historical disasters and living with the health consequences ever since, Jenn has never received compensation or financial assistance for the suffering she endured.
In 2015, Jenn married the love of her life; Tom Ashcraft (Father of Andrew Ashcraft, one of the 19 Firefighters killed in the Arizona fire of June 30, 2013. Shortly after, she became sick again. The photos below, depict how Jenn has tried to have some kind of normalcy in her life although a very difficult tasks.
Still, she continued helping others.
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How Your Support Can Help
We are raising $35,000 to help Jenn cover the urgent and ongoing medical costs she is now facing.
Donations will help cover:
• Hospitalization costs
• Cancer screening scans
• Immunotherapy treatments
• Antibody replacement infusions
• Specialist consultations
• Travel for medical care
• Prescription medications
• Follow-up appointments
• Wound care supplies
These unexpected medical costs arrived suddenly and have become overwhelming. Why can’t we take care of our own in this country?
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A Final Message
Jenn has spent years helping people through disasters, tragedies, and moments of deep loss. She has given her time, her compassion, and her strength to others when they needed it most.
Now she is facing one of the hardest battles of her life.
If you are able, please consider donating. Even a small amount can help ease the burden of these medical expenses and allow Jenn to focus on what matters most—fighting for her health and healing once again.
Jenn still has a bit more fight left in her, she got her fighting mitts on! Let’s show her she doesn’t have to fight this battle alone anymore ❤️