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Help JackieT Fight Childhood Cancer

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12 years ago my beautiful niece Kayla met the love of her life Melissa.  They were married 9 years later.

19 months ago Kayla gave birth to their precious son Jackson (aka Jackie T!).  You only need to see 1 picture of his amazing and infectious smile to know that Jackson is the light of their life!   He also has a large and loving extended family who simply adore him.

Sadly, after a trip to the doctor this past February for a pink eye visit, we would soon learn that our sweet boy will begin the battle of lifetime!   Melissa has so poignantly described the diagnosis in “Jackson’s Journey” below.

Jackson’s Journey

There have been instances in my life where I’ve experienced moments of true bliss and clarity, none more clearer the night I was blessed with the birth of our son Jackson. Jackson has gifted me with being his mama and I couldn’t be more over the moon for our little man. He is lovable, caring, brave, curious, and funny. I’ve learned more from him and about myself that has guided and renewed my greater sense of purpose. To be a better human, wife, and mother.  That is why it is so incredibly difficult and painful to accept and write out this chapter in our lives, one very different then we had ever expected, but one that is now our new reality.  



What started as a trip to the pediatrician for a perceived pink eye ended up being so much more. Two days leading up to an unplanned visit to the pediatrician, Jackson was acting like his normal, playful, energy laced self.  A slight discharge from his left eye caused us to be concerned that he either might have allergies or be getting sick. 

As Kayla was waiting to be seen on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, Jackson began to develop what looked like bursted blood vessels on the left side of his face. Thankfully his pediatrician acted so quickly and requested blood work. A few hours later we were called back to the office with the results. There we sat down and learned that his white blood cell count was very high and his platelets were low. She talked about the characteristics of blood disease, looked at us and said.... “I’m concerned it’s leukemia.” The wave of emotions to follow and the thought of cancer connected to our son as I held him was crippling. Immediately, we left for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to be admitted to confirm his diagnosis.

At 18 months old, our beautiful boy, Jackson, was officially diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) on February 15, 2018, an aggressive form of Leukemia. His specific type of Leukemia is AML MLL rearrangement (T10,11). His prognosis is 20% survival and 90% chance of relapse. Jackson has received a number of impatient treatment cycles with aggressive and hard chemo. Unfortunately, chemo is not enough to beat this disease and he’ll be readmitted for bone marrow transplant on June 18, 2018.


We Need Your Help!

Jackson’s family will need to temporarily relocate to Philadelphia after transplant for approximately 4 months. Being close to CHOP is critical, as is ensuring a clean and sterile living environment to help Jackson’s health and well-being. Your donation will go to support living, travel, meals, medical, or any other form of unexpected costs associated with Jackson’s cancer diagnosis, treatment and long term care.

This family and little boy is on a difficult journey that no parent or family should have to go through. Together we can help Jackson and his family by making this terrible new reality a little easier. YOU are helping to make a difference in being part of a community rallying to support Jackson and his journey to fight cancer.

Other Ways to Help

·        Follow and share Jackson’s story on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pg/jacksonsjourneytofightcancer/about/?ref=page_internal 

·        Childhood Cancer receives 4% of funding from the national pool. Spread awareness of Childhood Cancer and demand more support and better treatment options! Contact your local representative 

·        Donate blood and plasma

·        Volunteer at a local hospital 

·        Sign up for Be the Match https://bethematch.org/ 

Thank You!

Thank you for taking time to read about Jackson’s
journey!

Whether you believe in the power of prayer or positive vibes, please keep this little one in your thoughts. Jackson and his family need all the love and support so he can KICK CANCERS BUTT!!

Thank you SO much for any support given to Kayla, Melissa and Jackson to help in his fight. 

Much love,
Aunt Laura!

#justkeepswimmingjackiet

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Donations 

  • Rob Goldkamp
    • $25 
    • 5 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Laura McQuilken Stutzman
Organizer
Gilbertsville, PA
Melissa Mest
Beneficiary

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