Support for Jessica Thomson's Cancer Treatment
Donation protected
Courage, strength, resilience, care and most of all, community. These are the words that first come to mind when thinking of Jessica Thomson.
To some of you Jessica is family, a friend, or a colleague. If Jessica has played a role in your life, she is always sure to give you her full attention and go above and beyond what most people would do to make you feel cared for. That is why it is no surprise that she has built such a large and diverse community of people who love her. It has never been a surprise to see her befriend someone twice, or three times her age and keep in close contact with them. It has never been a surprise when she tells you she is busy because she has to bring a care package to a coworker who is sick or to be there for an acquaintance or a friend who is struggling.
It is her community’s turn to give back to someone who cares so deeply for those around her and always somehow has more to give, even when she is going through her own difficult journey.
In November of 2017 Jessica was sadly diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. After surgery and months of chemotherapy and radiation she was pronounced cancer free. Even during this time, she continued to work tirelessly for the Government of Alberta. Her continued dedication to her job makes it evident how passionate she is to always fight for the betterment of her community.
Even more admirable than this, Jessica used her cancer diagnosis as a creative tool to educate her community. Often when someone receives a cancer diagnoses, some people around them struggle with how to help and sometimes people think it’s better to not say anything. This always makes it worse. To combat this stigma, Jessica not only was open about her diagnosis with those around her, but she also wrote an article entitled “When Life Gives You Lemons” for the Government of Alberta’s Justice Staff Newsletter in which she openly discussed the practical ways people can support members of their community who are experiencing cancer to help alleviate their stress. Again, this shows that Jessica will never stop caring and being beneficial to her community, even when she is the one who is hurting.
On October 20, 2019 she and her husband of 6 years, Cristian Gutierrez Ibanez, welcomed their son Francisco Gutierrez Thomson into this world. An entire hall had to be rented to celebrate his birth, again showing what a community Jessica has created.
While settling into life as a new mom, in December 2020, Jessica was diagnosed with recurrent breast cancer and had to start chemotherapy immediately. Not surprisingly, she has faced this new challenge with grace, hope and determination.
The good news is that her oncologist has recently informed her that she is eligible to start a new
immunotherapy, Atezolizumab, that in clinical trials has been shown to have a significant difference in cancer survival rates when given with chemotherapy.
Unfortunately, this drug is not covered completely by either Alberta Health or her benefits provider. This leaves her family with having to pay $4000 a month out of pocket to access a life prolonging drug. As a member of her community, or even if you do not know her personally, please consider helping her
family. Any bit of financial help would go a long way in lightening the load and wrapping her in the
support and love she needs and deserves.
To some of you Jessica is family, a friend, or a colleague. If Jessica has played a role in your life, she is always sure to give you her full attention and go above and beyond what most people would do to make you feel cared for. That is why it is no surprise that she has built such a large and diverse community of people who love her. It has never been a surprise to see her befriend someone twice, or three times her age and keep in close contact with them. It has never been a surprise when she tells you she is busy because she has to bring a care package to a coworker who is sick or to be there for an acquaintance or a friend who is struggling.
It is her community’s turn to give back to someone who cares so deeply for those around her and always somehow has more to give, even when she is going through her own difficult journey.
In November of 2017 Jessica was sadly diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. After surgery and months of chemotherapy and radiation she was pronounced cancer free. Even during this time, she continued to work tirelessly for the Government of Alberta. Her continued dedication to her job makes it evident how passionate she is to always fight for the betterment of her community.
Even more admirable than this, Jessica used her cancer diagnosis as a creative tool to educate her community. Often when someone receives a cancer diagnoses, some people around them struggle with how to help and sometimes people think it’s better to not say anything. This always makes it worse. To combat this stigma, Jessica not only was open about her diagnosis with those around her, but she also wrote an article entitled “When Life Gives You Lemons” for the Government of Alberta’s Justice Staff Newsletter in which she openly discussed the practical ways people can support members of their community who are experiencing cancer to help alleviate their stress. Again, this shows that Jessica will never stop caring and being beneficial to her community, even when she is the one who is hurting.
On October 20, 2019 she and her husband of 6 years, Cristian Gutierrez Ibanez, welcomed their son Francisco Gutierrez Thomson into this world. An entire hall had to be rented to celebrate his birth, again showing what a community Jessica has created.
While settling into life as a new mom, in December 2020, Jessica was diagnosed with recurrent breast cancer and had to start chemotherapy immediately. Not surprisingly, she has faced this new challenge with grace, hope and determination.
The good news is that her oncologist has recently informed her that she is eligible to start a new
immunotherapy, Atezolizumab, that in clinical trials has been shown to have a significant difference in cancer survival rates when given with chemotherapy.
Unfortunately, this drug is not covered completely by either Alberta Health or her benefits provider. This leaves her family with having to pay $4000 a month out of pocket to access a life prolonging drug. As a member of her community, or even if you do not know her personally, please consider helping her
family. Any bit of financial help would go a long way in lightening the load and wrapping her in the
support and love she needs and deserves.
Organizer and beneficiary
Alexandra Piquette
Organizer
Eastern Alberta , AB
Jessica Thomson
Beneficiary
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