Help Fund Jess's Medical Costs

Hi all,

As many of you know by now, and perhaps some who might not, Jess has been facing rising medical costs due to her preventative care in light of her diagnosis with the BRCA1 gene. Jess's mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and subsequently found out she was positive for the BRCA1 gene, prompting Jess to seek genetic counseling and testing in 2018. With the high costs incurred from doctors' visits, MRIs, ultrasounds, specialists, and ultimately preventative surgery, it has become really difficult to reconcile the medical bills with the already challenging tasks of reckoning with the BRCA1 gene and all decisions and deliberations that come with it. Compounded with rising costs of rent, food, and living, it's hard to know where to begin.

The funds raised from your generosity will go to pay off Jess's medical bills and help ease the financial burden she's facing and will allow her a little more space to face the difficulties of her diagnosis, as well as the joys and vicissitudes of life. Please share this page with those who you think would like to contribute or may be able to give. With all the love; with all gratitude; and with all humility - Thank you.

A little about BRCA...

BRCA1 (BReast CAncer gene 1) and BRCA2 (BReast CAncer gene 2) are genes that produce proteins that help repair damaged DNA. Everyone has two copies of each of these genes—one copy inherited from each parent. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are sometimes called tumor suppressor genes because when they have certain changes or variants, cancer can develop.

About 13% of women in the general population will develop breast cancer sometime during their lives. By contrast, 55%-72% of women who inherit a harmful BRCA1 variant and 45%-69% of women who inherit a harmful BRCA2 variant will develop breast cancer by 70-80 years of age. This is nearly a fivefold increase in the likelihood of cancer development on average for a BRCA1 gene carrier compared to the general population.

The BRCA gene variant also increases the likelihood of ovarian cancer. About 1.2% of women in the general population will develop ovarian cancer sometime in their lives, compared to 39%-44% of women with an inherited BRCA1 variant, and 11%-17% with BRCA2. Again, this means women with a BRCA1 variant are nearly 35 times more likely to develop ovarian cancer compared with the general population.

While these statistics by no means make a cancer diagnosis certain in Jess's future, the increased risks bear much weight in the consideration of her life, her health, and her happiness. It's a heavy burden to bear.

Jess has been in and out of the breast care wing of the Maine Medical Center many times these past few years for evaluations, exams, MRIs, and ultrasounds. It is in light of the stresses, difficulties, and risks of this kind of preventative care and monitoring that she has come to the understanding she now has of her condition.

Next steps...

In light of all this, Jess has decided to undergo a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy on February 8th, followed by a few months of recovery and post-op treatments afterward. This is in line with recommendations from her doctors and specialists whom she has developed a relationship with over the years. The decision is a big one and has been the topic of much deliberation, weighing of pros and cons, and conversation with her family, friends, and peers in the BRCA support community. The costs of this surgery and reconstruction are high and will make up the bulk of her medical debt, but we believe the benefits of prevention and relief from a potential cancer diagnosis are worth the difficulties of major surgery and recovery, as well as the costs incurred.

Thank you

It is no small thing to be making this page, to be asking for money, to be public and vulnerable with Jess's health. It is with great humility and appreciation for the generous outpouring of love and support that we come to you. Already, your love and support have meant more than words can say. It is this broad community of friends, family, loved ones, peers, and the like, who make our lives worth living and who we can feel comfortable and confident to turn to in times of need. You know of Jess's love for you, she wears it proudly and I know you all have felt it. I personally thank you for all that you do and continue to do for Jess, it means so much to me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of this effort to support our friend, daughter, sister, and partner.

-- Ben