Needed: Generous hearts, to help Jen heal
Donation protected
I would like to capture your attention, for a few moments, to share my beloved friend, Jennifer VanEck’s health battle and story. As well as ask for your HELP!
Jennifer is a very special, near and dear friend that I have known for decades. She is truly like a sister to me. This warrior woman is beautiful, inside, and out! If you have the joy of knowing her, then you know that she is fiercely independent, a tad bit stubborn, hard-working, driven and successful. Most of all, she is an amazing Mom, daughter and friend, who is full of love, life, and goodness. Now,
Jen is fighting to regain her health and strength, since being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in the Spring of 2020. For the past year, I have had the bittersweet privilege of walking beside Jen on her journey to healing. I am continually in awe of how incredibly courageous, brave, and tenacious she is, as she continues to press on every day! I hope, as you read Jen’s accounting of her story, you will be inspired to help, in any way you are able. Jen has done all she can to pay out of pocket, for her care. Now, she needs our financial help, so she can continue to receive treatment. Life is such a precious gift; I think we would all agree… it is worth fighting for!
Jen’s story, in her own words...
In 2017, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Because I am a very private person (and a tough cookie), I did not share what I was going through with many people. I completed treatment, and I honestly thought that was the end of it, so I went on about my life, grateful it was behind me, without anyone being the wiser.
In May of 2020, during the COVID shutdown, I was experiencing some concerning symptoms that landed me in the hospital. I received the devastating news that not only was the cancer back it had metastasized to 3 different places. Shortly thereafter, I chose to receive a highly recommended precision radiation treatment, to one of the cancerous areas. Even still, the doctors painted a pretty grim picture of my outcome overall and really gave me no hope. Because I want to live with everything in me and do not believe my story is over, I began to do a lot of research and decided to treat it holistically. The treatment plan was pretty successful until recently. I have developed a serious infection that we are still trying to get under control. Additionally, due to a lot of inflammation, my left leg has become weak, inhibiting my ability to walk normal or do things I would really enjoy.
With that said, I want you to know, that I have always loved to be a giver. So, it is not easy for me, to be the one in need of help. Add to this, my desire for privacy and perhaps my pride...I have really struggled with sharing my story and receiving financial help. I have been placing so much additional stress on myself, worrying about how I will continue to receive the much needed treatments. Now, my need for financial assistance, has become urgent! At this point, I have depleted my entire savings and every drop of credit I have, in an effort to get well. Unfortunately, holistic/alternative medicine is not covered by insurance. As of late, it has been getting really difficult financially and I am now desperate and cannot keep up. Truthfully, I am now bankrupt! Talk about humbling!
Currently, on average, the cost for my care is about $3500 a month and that does not even include the thousands of dollars in medical bills that I have already incurred from conventional medical care, not covered by my insurance. Up until recently, by God’s grace, I managed to pay for it.
Something else, I want to share…If you are a parent, you can understand that I have never wanted my daughter, Breanna, to see me in pain or suffering; no one’s child should ever have to endure that. Yet, she has bought my groceries, cooked my meals, and cleaned so I could focus on my recovery. She has been my rock when I have wanted to crumble.
When I received the news last year, I had this overwhelming, unexplainable feeling come over me, that everything was going to be ok. Honestly, I have had that belief shattered more times than I can tell you in this past year, but my beautiful daughter is always there to remind me that I can do this! Plus, I have heard a lot of success stories, of others who were healed.
I admit that I do feel defeated at times, yet God continues to give me the grace and strength, to get up every morning and keep pressing on. Despite numerous setbacks. I have learned that even a strong woman, like me, needs to reach out for help. So, here I am, broken, oftentimes, scared and overwhelmed, but refusing to give up or lose hope; asking for your financial support, so that I can continue to receive treatments that I know have a lot of hope and science behind them. I am so thankful that God has faithfully put the right people in my life, to help and support me through this battle. Now, I am asking you to please be one of those people. I want you to know that I am so very thankful for your prayers and financial contribution.
With love and gratitude, Jen
But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the LORD" ~ Jeremiah 30:17
Jennifer is a very special, near and dear friend that I have known for decades. She is truly like a sister to me. This warrior woman is beautiful, inside, and out! If you have the joy of knowing her, then you know that she is fiercely independent, a tad bit stubborn, hard-working, driven and successful. Most of all, she is an amazing Mom, daughter and friend, who is full of love, life, and goodness. Now,
Jen is fighting to regain her health and strength, since being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in the Spring of 2020. For the past year, I have had the bittersweet privilege of walking beside Jen on her journey to healing. I am continually in awe of how incredibly courageous, brave, and tenacious she is, as she continues to press on every day! I hope, as you read Jen’s accounting of her story, you will be inspired to help, in any way you are able. Jen has done all she can to pay out of pocket, for her care. Now, she needs our financial help, so she can continue to receive treatment. Life is such a precious gift; I think we would all agree… it is worth fighting for! Jen’s story, in her own words...
In 2017, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Because I am a very private person (and a tough cookie), I did not share what I was going through with many people. I completed treatment, and I honestly thought that was the end of it, so I went on about my life, grateful it was behind me, without anyone being the wiser.
In May of 2020, during the COVID shutdown, I was experiencing some concerning symptoms that landed me in the hospital. I received the devastating news that not only was the cancer back it had metastasized to 3 different places. Shortly thereafter, I chose to receive a highly recommended precision radiation treatment, to one of the cancerous areas. Even still, the doctors painted a pretty grim picture of my outcome overall and really gave me no hope. Because I want to live with everything in me and do not believe my story is over, I began to do a lot of research and decided to treat it holistically. The treatment plan was pretty successful until recently. I have developed a serious infection that we are still trying to get under control. Additionally, due to a lot of inflammation, my left leg has become weak, inhibiting my ability to walk normal or do things I would really enjoy.
With that said, I want you to know, that I have always loved to be a giver. So, it is not easy for me, to be the one in need of help. Add to this, my desire for privacy and perhaps my pride...I have really struggled with sharing my story and receiving financial help. I have been placing so much additional stress on myself, worrying about how I will continue to receive the much needed treatments. Now, my need for financial assistance, has become urgent! At this point, I have depleted my entire savings and every drop of credit I have, in an effort to get well. Unfortunately, holistic/alternative medicine is not covered by insurance. As of late, it has been getting really difficult financially and I am now desperate and cannot keep up. Truthfully, I am now bankrupt! Talk about humbling!
Currently, on average, the cost for my care is about $3500 a month and that does not even include the thousands of dollars in medical bills that I have already incurred from conventional medical care, not covered by my insurance. Up until recently, by God’s grace, I managed to pay for it.
Something else, I want to share…If you are a parent, you can understand that I have never wanted my daughter, Breanna, to see me in pain or suffering; no one’s child should ever have to endure that. Yet, she has bought my groceries, cooked my meals, and cleaned so I could focus on my recovery. She has been my rock when I have wanted to crumble.
When I received the news last year, I had this overwhelming, unexplainable feeling come over me, that everything was going to be ok. Honestly, I have had that belief shattered more times than I can tell you in this past year, but my beautiful daughter is always there to remind me that I can do this! Plus, I have heard a lot of success stories, of others who were healed.
I admit that I do feel defeated at times, yet God continues to give me the grace and strength, to get up every morning and keep pressing on. Despite numerous setbacks. I have learned that even a strong woman, like me, needs to reach out for help. So, here I am, broken, oftentimes, scared and overwhelmed, but refusing to give up or lose hope; asking for your financial support, so that I can continue to receive treatments that I know have a lot of hope and science behind them. I am so thankful that God has faithfully put the right people in my life, to help and support me through this battle. Now, I am asking you to please be one of those people. I want you to know that I am so very thankful for your prayers and financial contribution.
With love and gratitude, Jen
But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the LORD" ~ Jeremiah 30:17
Organizer and beneficiary
Christina Meyer
Organizer
New Lenox, IL
Breanna Van Eck
Beneficiary