Support Jess Barden’s Breast Cancer Fight & Recovery

As much as I’d love to bring awareness to Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, I wish it were for a different reason! Last month my best friend, Jess Barden went in for routine follow-up mammogram after having a mass biopsied in her left breast last year (it tested benign), and three additional masses were found in her right breast. Original biopsies showed those masses to be benign; however they were sent off for full testing. Those tests revealed cancer and Jess was diagnosed with Stage 0 breast cancer. While Stage 0 is the best case scenario for the circumstances and we are grateful it was found early, cancer is cancer and she will undergo a full breast reduction, followed by 3 weeks (5 days a week) of radiation treatment. Per the oncologist and surgeons recommendations, Jess will undergo the breast reduction surgery on 11/7/24 so that the amount of radiation treatment required is MUCH less. All the mass that is removed will be sent for further testing to ensure there is not additional treatment necessary, this is a good thing!

Along with treatment comes large insurance co-payments and deductibles and significant time off both her full time and part time jobs. Thankfully Jess will receive disability from Wells Fargo; however she will completely miss the income from her part time coaching job for at least 6-8 weeks. This is an income that she greatly relies on as a single mom and sole provider to Kinley. More than anything, I want Jess to focus on healing and not stressing about these unexpected expenses or loss of income, SO… I’m asking for YOUR help! Can we come together and raise some money to support Jess during this unexpected, hard, scary and unknown time?

If you know her, you know she is so strong and so resilient and would NEVER ask for help!! However, she needs us right now and I want to lift some of the burden of this terrible news! If you can help with a monetary donation, it would be so wonderful but prayers are certainly also VERY welcomed!

Thank you for supporting the wonderful friend, daughter, mama and HUMAN that she is! After all she’s been through in this life, we know that she will overcome this too, stronger and more beautiful than ever!

Thanks!

Tori