Support Kiki With her Complex Cancer Journey

My name is Kris and I am starting this GoFund me page for fellow cancer mom Jenna and her family. We have become friends through the childhood cancer community and have experienced the hardship of cancer in our children. It is an experience that neither of us would wish on anyone. I have gone through childhood cancer with my daughter first hand and ultimately know what it feels like to struggle with all that comes with a cancer diagnosis in your child. It is not one that gets easier with time. It only gets harder. I know first hand that Kiki's mom Jenna would be the first person in line to help a family going through a tough time. She would be the person who would be initiating a meal train and would be offering her help to a family in need or going through something difficult. Now the time has come that her family needs our help.

In 2019, Michael and Jenna’s daughter Kiki was diagnosed with a tumor on her brain stem at only 11 years old. Not long before the world was starting to shut down and isolate with the pandemic, the Mercer family was faced with the unthinkable. Their youngest daughter was diagnosed with brain cancer and had to be isolated for treatment at St. Jude, away from her favorite people in the entire world. Over the course of 3 years, Kiki has had admission after admission at St. Jude to treat both her brain tumor and the many other diagnoses and symptoms that she struggles with on an almost daily basis. The Mercer family has been blessed with the kindness of the St. Jude community and so many free services which made life just a little bit more bearable.

However, the clinical trial that Kiki was receiving intense treatment with has not been enough. Jenna and Michael are doing everything they can to find new trials and answers that will help Kiki keep shining her beautiful light and have the incredible childhood and future she deserves. Kiki’s cancer is inoperable and as few realize, cancer treatment and even the treatment to manage symptoms is not as easy of a solution as it should be. Kiki’s case is both rare and unique and even after three years there are still unknowns that could impact treatment plans.

The amount of time, energy and out of pocket expenses that the Mercer family have right now is more than a family should have to endure. In search of answers and a plan, Jenna and Kiki are currently traveling to multiple hospitals and consulting with specialists who have the potential to help. Because of this, they will now be paying much more for treatment, insurance co-pays and denials, travel, lodging, meals, etc while at treatment/appointments and away from home, in addition to being a one income family as Jenna travels with and cares for Kiki while still giving her siblings the best opportunities possible.

Sometimes life is too much on our own. Sometimes we need others to tell us that it is okay to accept help. Right now, the Mercer family needs just that. They need us, their community, to come together and help ease some of their financial pain. Kiki is very symptomatic right now. She has controlled seizures, tires very easily, battles daily headaches and more. But her spirit is so very strong and her will to keep fighting is more apparent than ever.

The Mercer family does not want to ask for help and has been hesitant for so long, but the reality is that they really need our community to band together and rally them as they work desperately to keep not only Kiki healthy but also to keep their other children happy and thriving, while not stressing over the cost that cancer brings a family. This is a lot for one family to endure and we appreciate everyone’s support. No amount is too small and is very much appreciated. Even just by sharing, you are helping.

The GoFund me link is attached. and Jenna's Venmo and Paypal are noted in the comments if anyone prefers to use that option.

The Mercers would like for everyone to know that the love, prayers, and well wishes they have received in support of Kiki and their family mean the world as they navigate this difficult path.