"I will keep my fighting spirit strong, regardless of what happens, and I'll continue to fight with all my heart."

In the late summer of 2021, Jan was diagnosed with Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. After almost two years that included a successful surgery, two rounds of chemo treatments, several emergency hospitalizations, and multiple CT scans, the cancer has grown beyond the point of being fully treatable.

She now hopes to start a third round of chemo to slow the progression of her disease. The ups and downs have been Jan's greatest challenge of this journey....yet she is determined to keep her spirit strong and stay hopeful regardless of what happens, to continue the fight with all her heart, and to enjoy every minute of the time she has left.

"My daily prayer has been, and continues to be, that God helps me to remain BRAVE, STRONG, and GRATEFUL every day."

Though Jan has received excellent medical care from an extraordinary oncology team through the MHealth Masonic Cancer Center in Minneapolis, MN as well as a wonderful team at the Natural Health Improvement Center in Grand Rapids, MI, it's becoming more clear that they have taken her as far as possible through medical and holistic health interventions.

Jan has a desire to spend the rest of her time with family and friends and to see as much of the world with them as she can in the time she has left.

This is where all of you come in…

We want her to create some wonderful new memories with her husband, children, grandchildren, siblings, cousins, and friends; as well as recreating some of her most cherished memories. Here are some of the most important trips on her bucket list:

"Her most precious moment in time" - visiting Mackinac Island with her husband and children

"Rick and I took Paul and Kate to Mackinac Island in the summer of 1993 where we created unforgettable memories together. It would give me such joy to relive those days of laughing and exploring with our children and to have another memory to cherish as our original family of four." ~Jan

Trip to Duluth with her children and grandchildren, an annual tradition since 1987

Trip to New York with her siblings

Jan and her siblings have traveled together for their traditional sibling trip to various places throughout the country. This year, NYC here we come!!

Jan also hopes to celebrate the 63rd annual Berry Lake family reunion, as well as trips to Michigan and Nevada to see cousins and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law. Her ultimate wish is to cruise around the British Isles with her sister and their husbands, a dream not yet realized. Any contribution, large or small, will be so greatly appreciated in helping Jan to celebrate her life.

"I have been blessed with the love, care, and support so many of you have offered me and our family as well as your prayers, which have brought me strength and hope throughout this challenging time. I continue to pray each day that God will heal me fully and that He will help me accept His will over my own." ~Jan

Please join us now in praying for a miracle.

Our heartfelt gratitude to each of you, now and always, Jan and her family

"I have been blessed with a beautiful life, and I pray I am far from done!"

*Any money received will first go to resolving Jan's outstanding medical debt of $6,500, which covered doctor visits, lab work, ongoing testing, and supplements.