Support Jess's Fight Against Leukemia

My name is Britney Butts and I am a friend of the Wirsing family. I am organizing this donation page with the consent of the family.

On Tuesday, March 18th, Scott and Jess received news that would change the rest of their lives.

After a few doctor visits, misdiagnoses, and continuous mystery symptoms, possibly alluding to anemia, they decided to head to CGH Emergency Room. They were transferred immediately to University of Iowa Healthcare Medical Center. Upon arriving at UOI Healthcare Medical Center, they learned that they were dealing with something bigger than anemia.

Jess has been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

This cancer is notoriously aggressive, however, so is UOI and their plan for treatment (it helps that Jess is a tough and resilient girl!). On Sunday, March 23rd, Jess will start chemotherapy. She is to complete 10 days of straight chemo followed by 2 weeks off. After 2 weeks, she will begin another round of chemo. She will also be completing bone marrow biopsies along the way to track her progress. We have learned that doctor’s believe on the scale of favorable/intermediate/poor, Jess’s Leukemia is in the favorable category. This suggests she has a higher chance of successful treatment and a lower risk of relapse!

Scott made a brave decision in February to leave his job at Wahl Clipper to focus on growing his own business, Buttonhook Forge, as a full-time job. Unfortunately, this means their family is currently without health insurance. It also means that while Scott is Jess's support system at the hospital, he cannot work on his business.

“No, you don’t have to!” are the words I can hear Jess and Scott saying right now. No, we don’t have to do this, but we want to do this. They are completely wonderful people with 3 beautiful daughters, Annabelle (9), Amelia (7), and Norah (5). For as long as I have known them, I have watched this beautiful family show up for so many other families, their friends, and their community time after time.

Jess is the most dedicated mother I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. She truly lives for her children. She is the type of friend you consider yourself incredibly lucky to have: kind, thoughtful, loyal, supportive… and with the perfect amount of sarcasm mixed into every conversation. To know her, really, is to love her.

Navigating through this very abrupt life change for Jess, Scott, and their girls will take a village.

We are asking for donations to go directly toward:

-Day-to-day living expenses, gas, groceries.

-Medical-related expenses.

-Household bills while there is no current income.

Your generosity will go directly toward ensuring Jess gets the best possible care, along with the support she needs to stay strong through this battle!

No donation is too small, and even sharing this campaign means the world to us. Please keep Jess in your thoughts and prayers as she bravely fights leukemia.

There will be an account set up at Farmers National Bank for the family, if you prefer to donate there!