Support Mikan's Life-Saving TPIAT Surgery Journey

Hi Friends, Family, & Kind Strangers,

I’m asking for your generous donation for my amazing niece, Mikan Jensen, and my sister/her mom, Heidi. They are traveling from their home in South Jordan, Utah to Ohio July 15th for about 8 weeks for a 14 hour pancreas surgery (TPIAT) that will literally save her life and give her the chance to live a normal life. The surgery will come with enormous costs. Please consider contributing whatever you can to help the Jensen Family through this challenging journey. If you're unable to donate, sharing this page would also be incredibly helpful.

Mikan has faced immense health struggles over the past five years, since she was 14. She has been in intense pain on a daily basis. She’s been in and out of the hospital as doctors have tried to diagnose the problems. After hundreds of doctor visits, 20 overnights in the hospital, 65 procedures, 2 trips to Ohio and 11 nights staying at their Ronald McDonald House, and dozens of trips to the ER, Mikan has been diagnosed with the following:

This last diagnosis of Chronic Pancreatitis has been the kicker. Her pain increased gradually over time to an average of 8 out of 10 daily and has taken away her options of working, going to college, and living her best life… for now.

Mikan is scheduled to have Total Pancreatectomy with Islet AutoTransplantation (TPIAT) surgery by an awesome surgical team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. This surgery involves removing her entire pancreas, spleen, gallbladder, and appendix, and part of her small intestine. Then, they will isolate the islet cells from her pancreas and transplant them back into her liver and rewire everything back together. Mikan will be inpatient for 4 weeks, one of which will be in the ICU. Then she’ll stay for outpatient treatment for another 4 weeks. (Click here to see a short TPIAT video.)

This journey has taken a major toll on Mikan and her family -- physically, emotionally, and financially. Mikan’s amazing single mom will be on unpaid leave from work with many travel, home, and other expenses. She’ll miss two to three months of work to support Mikan’s recovery. Mikan and her mom will need to go on followup trips to Ohio at the 3 month mark, then 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 months, and then yearly visits.

As someone who loves Mikan deeply, it’s heartbreaking to watch her go through this painful struggle. Even with her struggles, she has a positive attitude and is often serving those around her. For me personally, she has watched my kids when I really needed it, even though she wasn’t feeling well. I’m hoping you’ll join me in helping Mikan during this difficult time. Thank you so much for your love, support, and kindness. Mikan and family are incredibly grateful to all of you for your consideration and generosity. Every donation helps, no matter how small.

XOXO, Jamie Davis

P.S. If you prefer venmo, send to Mikan's mom @heidimariej