Help Jessica Stay Afloat While Battling Breast Cancer

Hello, my name is Jessica. I’ve always been fiercely independent — a single mom who worked hard to build a life on her own terms. I bought my home, raised my son, and generously gave back to my community, including hosting international exchange students at my own expense for the past two years. I’ve never asked for handouts.

In November 2024, I was devastated as my life changed when I was diagnosed with aggressive HER2-positive, ER-positive, PR-negative breast cancer. Since then, I’ve endured a double mastectomy with tissue expander placement and will be undergoing phase 2 reconstruction this August. I also have a port placed in my chest which will need to be surgically removed as well. I'm recovering from chemotherapy and am still going through immunotherapy for a year at the cancer center. I'll continue monthly Lupron injections as well as daily Anastrozole and other medications as part of a 10-year hormone therapy plan.

As you can imagine, this journey has taken a heavy toll on my body and mind. I live with permanent hearing loss from chemo toxicity, painful nerve damage, osteopenia, a blood clot, and “chemo brain” that affects my memory and daily function. I will be seeing a neurologist soon for bilateral leg pain that is getting very hard to deal with. These challenges related to my cancer have made it impossible for me to return to work.

I have applied for SSDI, a process that often takes many months or longer from what I understand. In the meantime, I face ongoing bills—mortgage, car payments, home/auto insurance, utilities, and essential living expenses—with no income.

This GoFundMe is not a plea for charity but a practical lifeline to cover essential costs for 1 year while I focus on healing and (hopefully) await SSDI approval. I’m reaching out to those who understand the value of supporting someone committed to hopeful recovery and regaining independence.

If you’re able to help, your generosity will have a profound impact. If you can share this with others who might, it means the world to me.

Thank you for your kindness and support during this most difficult chapter of my life. Nobody thinks this is going to happen to them until it unfortunately does.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Jessica DiGiovanni