Jill … an amazing athlete and amazing friend, loved to hear the rhythm of shoe on concrete; the smooth whir, or pebbles’ crunch as she and her bike explored the world around her. And she led newcomers along the Appalachian trail mesmerized by the beauty of nature while hearing the voiced surprise and wonder of those that followed her

lead.

Jill was strong and she honored both man and

nature by giving back, until some strange back pain

could no longer be ignored. Then what she heard

seemed almost otherworldly: “Stage 4 lung

cancer….”

Regardless of many, many months of treatments

the experts have tried, it has spread from her strong

back to her muscular legs to lesions in her brain… and

she fights daily and moment by moment … and she

laughs and easily entertains those that come to bring food, or flower, or just to listen; and alone, through tears, she creates bracelets and lovely Christmas cards to bring in some necessary cash.

From a note (10/7) … Jill says it all:

Yesterday was so rough as they stopped the chemo - from my vomiting to tightness in my chest. Then they cranked every last drop in!! It was a success of a hard caliber. I remember asking the nurse if I was dying, I felt so sick. She said not on my watch!! Best nurses ever!

And it’s not enough - Jill needs our help … Please help!

ps … Jill’s daughter, has had her second child. Jill has not seen her as they live in Japan. Jill held on until she was able to meet her first grandchild … now she prays she will meet her second!