Hi, my name is Jessica Isom, and I’m shamelessly reaching out for a very special and urgent cause. As you all know, I am a loving wife and mom of four young children, and a Special Education teacher in Franklin Township. Unfortunately, I am facing a difficult medical challenge that requires travel to Baltimore, for specialized treatment.

I have always tried to be the rock of my family, juggling the demands of raising children while providing endless love and support to students at school as well. When I got sick (first with Lupus) a few years ago, I made a promise to myself that my kids wouldn’t be negatively affected. I had been able to (mostly) keep that promise, until August when the Scleroderma diagnosis came. This illness has brought along many other issues and illnesses and has made the last 6 months incredibly rough- for myself, my husband, and our children.

Due to the seriousness (and rarity) of these illnesses, my current treatment options locally are limited, and traveling to John’s Hopkins Medical Center for more advanced care is my best chance at some normalcy, relief, and longevity.

Unfortunately, the cost of travel, accommodations, medical bills, and other related expenses is overwhelming. We have found ourselves unable to carry this burden alone. As a family, we have been through so much already, and the last thing I want is our kids to worry about they need to cut back on to help cover these additional costs.

So yes, we are shamelessly asking for help…. Every donation, no matter how small, will help ease the financial strain and allow us to focus on treatment, being there for our children, and continuing to give my all to my students for as long as I can! Your support will not only provide financial relief, but also help remind us that we have support through this long, lonely journey.