Jessica's Full-Time Caretaking Fund

Hello, my name is Sara Ronder, and I have been friends with Jessica for nearly 20 years. Since the beginning of our friendship, she has been an invaluable source of support and encouragement. Always quick with a brainstorm for solutions, firm in unwavering support of any challenge her friends encounter, and often the first person to give from her own wallet, Jessica has never failed to show up for those dear to her.

Now she needs her people to show up for her.

In July of 2023, Jessica's mom, Connie, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive breast cancer after a clear mammogram in December 2022. Jessica had been laid off from her job at the end of April, so she was able to continue her job search while helping her mom recover from a radical mastectomy that involved the removal of a 7cm tumor, 4 ribs, part of her sternum, and her pectoral muscle.

While still recovering from her mastectomy, Connie recently spent 13 days in the hospital with necrotizing pancreatitis. The doctors said it was like a bomb went off in her body. Connie now has diabetes, tachycardia, and requires oxygen and a walker to get around. The recovery process also requires several more hospital visits to clean out dead pancreatic tissue and a very long recovery.

Jessica started a CaringBridge page (https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/connieellison) to help document Connie's progress through surgery and recovery, often calling for prayers and providing updates to the community through several challenges. She is so fortunate to be able to offer around-the-clock care as the family navigates a complicated recovery, but she now needs our help to continue to be the family's advocate.

The goal of this fundraiser is to allow Jessica to continue being the most present and intentional caretaker while making sure her bills are paid. If you want to support Connie and Larry during this time, there is no greater or more direct impact than donating to allow Jessica to do this difficult work.

Due to a lot of uncertainty with Connie's cancer recovery, and now learning how to live life without a pancreas, it would put Connie and Larry's minds at ease if Jessica had the financial support needed to be able to spend up to another 6 months in East Texas helping them. To do this, we would appreciate any financial support you can spare.

Connie would like people to know Jessica saved her life by getting her to the hospital when she did, as she was already septic. The following is directly from Jessica's mother, Connie:

"Without my husband Larry, son Matt, and Jessica staying with me around the clock in the hospital, God's mercy and grace, and the continual prayers of so many people worldwide, I am not sure I would have made it through."

(All money raised through this fundraiser goes directly to Jessica. Other than the fees that GoFundMe collects, no middleman has access to funds)