Hi everyone,

My name is Tia, and I am fundraising for my close friend Jessica, someone who has been part of my life for over 20 years.

In September, after more than a year of doctor visits, tests, and unanswered questions, Jessica was diagnosed with Peripheral T‑Cell Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. By the time she received her diagnosis, her health had already declined significantly, and she had been forced to stop working due to worsening symptoms.

On January 21, Jessica will be going to Saskatoon for a meeting with her medical team to learn more about the stem cell transplant process. The exact start date for her transplant will be scheduled after her 6th round of chemotherapy, which is expected to be in the middle or end of February.

Once the transplant begins, doctors will collect her stem cells, she will stay in a hotel for a couple of weeks, and then she will be admitted to hospital for six weeks of high-dose chemotherapy. After chemotherapy, her healthy stem cells will be returned to her body in hopes they rebuild her immune system.

This treatment comes with enormous physical and emotional challenges. There is only a 60% chance the transplant will be successful. Even if it works, Jessica will not be able to return to work for at least four months after discharge. If it does not work, she will need another round of different chemotherapy.

Jessica is understandably terrified. Her previous round of chemotherapy hit her extremely hard—she was left weak, in pain, and slept for days at a time, unable to leave her bed. Right now, she struggles with severe leg pain, mobility issues, extreme weakness, and side effects from multiple medications, including significant weight gain. These physical challenges have taken a toll not just on her body, but also on her confidence and independence.

Before cancer, Jessica was incredibly hardworking and active. She lost over 140 pounds through dedication to the gym and healthy living. She worked nearly six years in housekeeping at Pasqua Hospital, a job she truly loved. She took pride in her work, trained new staff, helped nurses whenever she could, and never once received a complaint. She had recently begun training as a supervisor and was excited to grow her career when her health suddenly declined.

Many people at Pasqua knew Jessica as the “duck lady.” She hid small ducks around the unit to bring smiles to patients and coworkers. Even after she became sick, coworkers continued placing ducks and telling people to think of Jessica and say a prayer when they found one—a small gesture that speaks volumes about the kind of person she is.

Jessica is also a devoted mom to three daughters. Not being able to work or provide for them the way she always has has been heartbreaking for her. She was the primary income earner in her household before becoming ill and has not been able to work since the end of June. While disability income helps, it does not come close to covering rent, bills, food, and other basic necessities.

Her partner JD will be her full-time caregiver during treatment and hospitalization. This means applying for caregiver support, which will reduce his income. JD is also traveling for work throughout the winter, adding additional strain. Jessica’s mom has taken on an overwhelming amount of responsibility—working, caring for the children, managing the household, and traveling on weekends to visit Jessica in Saskatoon. With limited family support, the emotional and financial stress has been immense.

Funds raised through this GoFundMe will help cover:

Rent and household bills

Food and basic necessities for Jessica’s children

Transportation and travel costs for medical care

Hotel accommodations in Saskatoon for her caregiver and visiting family

Living expenses during treatment and long recovery

Jessica never wanted to ask for help, but the reality is that her family is struggling. This fundraiser will allow her to focus on what truly matters right now—surviving cancer and healing—without the constant fear of how bills will be paid.

If you are able to donate, share this fundraiser, or keep Jessica and her family in your thoughts and prayers, it would mean more than words can express. Thank you for taking the time to read her story and for supporting her during the hardest fight of her life.

With heartfelt gratitude, Tia