In August 2022, my Aunt Jan was diagnosed as a quadriplegic. But if you know Jan, you know she is a fighter. With unwavering determination, she has committed to an intense training schedule, proving that she can defy the odds. Overcoming such profound medical challenges requires extraordinary mental, emotional, and physical strength—not to mention significant financial resources to continue her progress.

Jan is relentlessly striving to conquer the most challenging race of her life, one that will be the most rewarding achievement yet! Jeff is an amazing race sherpa who dedicates countless hours to ensuring Jan is well-cared-for throughout her training. He will also be there when the time comes for Jan to complete the race on her own.

In the meantime, Jan’s training is extremely challenging, and her journey has been progressing much slower than they had hoped. Nevertheless, she continues to push forward, dedicating countless hours and refusing to give up. Training for a regular road race seems simple compared to what Jan is undertaking. They have faced incredibly difficult challenges that most of us will likely never experience, but Jan and Jeff remain two of the most positive, caring, and determined people we know. The love and support they have for each other are truly unmatched.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term Race Sherpa, here is an explanation obtained from Google. In running races, a "race sherpa" is a support person who helps with logistics, emotional support, and cheering, allowing the runner to focus on the race. They are like the support staff for an athlete, ensuring a positive and less stressful race experience. This is the exact role Jeff has taken on.

Despite the hurdles, Jan’s hard work has led to incredible milestones—like standing at her mother’s 94th birthday celebration! Though progress feels slow, every step forward is a victory. Her positive energy and relentless determination continue to inspire us all.

However, her medical expenses are mounting. Between therapy, doctors' appointments, medication, and other various medical expenses, it is an astronomical cost. Insurance has now limited her to just one Occupational Therapy and one Physical Therapy appointment per month—far from what she truly needs. Soon, coverage will end altogether, leaving Jan and Jeff to bear the full financial burden.

Asking for donations can be challenging, but I believe it’s essential for friends and family to have the opportunity to show their support and contribute to a solution for Jan. Together, we can help them continue to access the medical treatment she needs and alleviate their burden as much as possible. Anything at all that you can do to contribute, is much appreciated and will significantly help! Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference.

I will be collecting donations to present a “Cooper Family Sponsorship” at her race, the Share Your Strength 5K in their hometown in Kentucky. Please feel free to send along donations to me and I will combine them to one large donation.

I believe this quote is perfect because all the training Jan completed over the years for her races has mentally prepared her to train for the longest and most challenging race of her life.

“I run because it’s so symbolic of life. You have to drive yourself to overcome the obstacles. You might feel that you can’t. But then you find your inner strength, and realize you’re capable of so much more than you thought.” —Arthur Blank

Sincere thanks for your kind generosity!

Jess Cooper