$8,535 raised
·72 donations
Jessica Nobles Hawks
Donation protected
Jessica Nobles Hawks has spent her whole life fighting. She was born with cystic fibrosis, a terminal lung disease. When she was diagnosed as a toddler, her parents received the crushing news that she would live to be only 12 years old. Jess defied the odds and has grown into a vibrant woman—a loving wife, devoted mother and a fierce friend. She is also a smart and talented professional who held a full time job until she required a lifesaving double-lung transplant in December 2017 at the age of 37. The procedure was successful but came with a barrage of life-threatening complications. Still, Jess’s will to live for her son and her family pulled her through that challenge as well, proving that Jess wouldn’t let her disease or her circumstances stop her.
After transplant, Jess honored her donor and their precious gift by exercising every day and enjoying the blessing, freedom and energy that came with an incredible new life of breathing easy—not bound to an oxygen tank. She now had renewed hope that she’d be able to see her then 15-year-old son graduate from high school—a milestone she always prayed she’d live to see. In December 2018, Jess was elated to celebrate her first “lungaversary.”
Then in May 2019—only a year and a half post-transplant—Jessica, her family, friends and medical team were devastated to learn that she had liver cancer. While transplant is a lifesaving procedure, it comes with inherent risks and complications, such as an increase in the likelihood of cancer. Her doctors believe that the tumor was due to the effect of cystic fibrosis on the liver over time and that the immunosuppression required after transplant exacerbated the rate that the cancer grew and spread.
Jessica is now battling a rare advanced-stage liver cancer. Because it has already spread to the lymph nodes, the only treatment option is chemotherapy. She will require some form of chemotherapy for the rest of her life. The hope is that the treatment will keep the cancer from progressing for as long as possible. Adding to the terrible disease is that multiple other medical issues and complications—both related and unrelated to the cancer—have hindered Jessica from receiving all her scheduled chemotherapy treatments. But, as with the constant health struggles and obstacles she has always battled, her perspective and outlook continue to amaze those around her.
Many people spent months and years knowing Jess before finding out that she is living with cystic fibrosis. Because while the disease affected so many parts of her body, Jess always tried to keep it from affecting her life. Even now, during an intense battle with cancer, Jess doesn’t want her loved ones to worry. Through a lifetime of challenges, hospital stays and IV medications, she’s never wanted sympathy or special treatment. Quick to joke—and to laugh—Jess has always been determined to live life to the fullest, and cancer will not change that.
Those of you fortunate enough to know Jess personally have witnessed her radiant personality firsthand. Funny and self-deprecating. Bright and creative. Loving and devoted. Commanding and passionate. Unapologetically authentic. Her family is her world—their love for her, and hers for them, is the fuel that powers Jess’s fight. Her son is the light of her life, and she wants to be there for him as he reaches the upcoming milestones on his journey to adulthood.
Jessica also has a remarkably strong work ethic. Although managing cystic fibrosis has always been a full-time job, she always worked, until her health prevented her from continuing her career. Her husband, Andy, is a lieutenant at the Lakeland Fire Department and has always worked two (sometimes three!) jobs to help cover their extensive medical bills and prescription costs. Receiving such devastating news so closely after the overwhelming expenses of transplant means the relentless medical bills will continue to pile up.
If you’d like to help relieve any of the extra stress and burden this has put on the Hawks family, I know any donation would be helpful and is truly appreciated from the bottom of their hearts. Jess is "Fighting with Faith" for her life.
After transplant, Jess honored her donor and their precious gift by exercising every day and enjoying the blessing, freedom and energy that came with an incredible new life of breathing easy—not bound to an oxygen tank. She now had renewed hope that she’d be able to see her then 15-year-old son graduate from high school—a milestone she always prayed she’d live to see. In December 2018, Jess was elated to celebrate her first “lungaversary.”
Then in May 2019—only a year and a half post-transplant—Jessica, her family, friends and medical team were devastated to learn that she had liver cancer. While transplant is a lifesaving procedure, it comes with inherent risks and complications, such as an increase in the likelihood of cancer. Her doctors believe that the tumor was due to the effect of cystic fibrosis on the liver over time and that the immunosuppression required after transplant exacerbated the rate that the cancer grew and spread.
Jessica is now battling a rare advanced-stage liver cancer. Because it has already spread to the lymph nodes, the only treatment option is chemotherapy. She will require some form of chemotherapy for the rest of her life. The hope is that the treatment will keep the cancer from progressing for as long as possible. Adding to the terrible disease is that multiple other medical issues and complications—both related and unrelated to the cancer—have hindered Jessica from receiving all her scheduled chemotherapy treatments. But, as with the constant health struggles and obstacles she has always battled, her perspective and outlook continue to amaze those around her.
Many people spent months and years knowing Jess before finding out that she is living with cystic fibrosis. Because while the disease affected so many parts of her body, Jess always tried to keep it from affecting her life. Even now, during an intense battle with cancer, Jess doesn’t want her loved ones to worry. Through a lifetime of challenges, hospital stays and IV medications, she’s never wanted sympathy or special treatment. Quick to joke—and to laugh—Jess has always been determined to live life to the fullest, and cancer will not change that.
Those of you fortunate enough to know Jess personally have witnessed her radiant personality firsthand. Funny and self-deprecating. Bright and creative. Loving and devoted. Commanding and passionate. Unapologetically authentic. Her family is her world—their love for her, and hers for them, is the fuel that powers Jess’s fight. Her son is the light of her life, and she wants to be there for him as he reaches the upcoming milestones on his journey to adulthood.
Jessica also has a remarkably strong work ethic. Although managing cystic fibrosis has always been a full-time job, she always worked, until her health prevented her from continuing her career. Her husband, Andy, is a lieutenant at the Lakeland Fire Department and has always worked two (sometimes three!) jobs to help cover their extensive medical bills and prescription costs. Receiving such devastating news so closely after the overwhelming expenses of transplant means the relentless medical bills will continue to pile up.
If you’d like to help relieve any of the extra stress and burden this has put on the Hawks family, I know any donation would be helpful and is truly appreciated from the bottom of their hearts. Jess is "Fighting with Faith" for her life.
Donations
Organizer and beneficiary
Cara Bosko
Organizer
Lakeland, FL
Jessica Nobles
Beneficiary