Hello Friends,

A few months ago, our dear friend Jamie Hermann was having some health issues, and symptoms thought to be thyroid-related, and went to get checked out. After receiving an ultrasound on a lump in her neck, it was determined that it was an issue with her lymphatic system. Then came a biopsy, CT, and PET scan.

After more tests and visits to the doctor’s office, in March, Jamie was given a diagnosis of cancer, specifically Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, stage four. Stage four, for Jamie, means she has multiple areas that are affected, tumors in her neck and chest, and also involvement in her bone marrow. These were not the test results and diagnosis she was hoping for, no one hopes for this, but we all know Jamie is one of the strongest humans we know and will kick cancer straight in its c-word.

Lymphoma is a treatable cancer, and oddly enough, this is not her family’s first experience with this, albeit being a non-hereditary cancer. Jamie’s father, now in his 60s, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in his 30s. He has been in remission for 30 years, and Jamie plans to follow in his footsteps and kick this cancer’s ass.

Although this is a treatable cancer, it doesn’t make it any less scary. Cancer is a word no one ever wants to hear.

Jamie is receiving treatment at Froedert’s Cancer Center. She had a port placement procedure on April 3rd to receive treatment, a combination of Nivolumab immunotherapy and AVD chemotherapy. The action plan right now is six months of treatment, administered every two weeks.

Jamie was instructed not to work for the first month of treatment until she knew how her body would respond. With the appointments, tests, and an extended hospital stay since her diagnosis, she has already stepped away from work.

This has been hard for her, as the reality of working in the service industry means no work, no income. While trying to process “working when she can,” she is faced with being in a public-facing work environment with a compromised immune system. And working in a customer-facing job, while her whole life is upside down, feels a little dystopian. As we all know and regularly experience, medical bills can be debilitating and an extra source of unneeded stress.

This diagnosis will not only affect Jamie, but will also affect her partner Steve, who will support her and be by her side throughout this journey.

Donations will help cover medical bills not fully covered by insurance, ongoing treatment, and everyday living expenses such as rent, utilities, food, other household bills, and caring for their dog, George.

Every bit of support helps, whether it’s a donation, sharing this fundraiser, or leaving words of encouragement. Jamie is one of the most supportive and reliable friends anyone could ask for. She shows up for her friends and community time and time again, and is one of the best people to have in your corner. Asking for help does not come easily to her, but let’s show up for this amazing woman and let her know she is not facing this alone.

Jamie happened upon a post the other day from someone also going through a cancer journey, and a snippet has really stuck with her: “Cancer’s a bitch, but so am I.” And Jamie responded with, “I fucking got this.”