Jenelle Sanders Cancer Fund

Jenelle’s Story:

Jenelle is a 20-year-old fighting a second battle with cancer.   Her passion since she was a child has been dance.  She danced throughout grade school and high school and has continued with dance by working as a part-time dance teacher.  She is in her second year of college and interested in becoming a speech therapist. 

Jenelle is an inspiration to all by the courage she has shown and the positive attitude she has maintained. 

No one fights cancer alone, so we are asking for your help.  First and foremost, we are asking that you keep Jenelle in your prayers to help her continue to fight.  Secondly, we have set a goal to raise $15,000 to help her family with their high deductible and costs not covered by insurance.  Please help Jenelle fight cancer by joining Team Jenelle.

Jenelle was diagnosed at the age of 16 with a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer called Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS).  ERMS is formed from the embryonic skeletal muscle tissue.  Tumors are most often discovered in the head or neck, bladder or reproductive organs.  Jenelle’s tumor formed behind her left cheek bone.

During her first occurrence of cancer, Jenelle went through 10 months of chemotherapy and 6 weeks of proton radiation.  The radiation caused scar tissue to develop in her jaw which prevented her from opening her mouth no more than a few centimeters.  She was scheduled to have reconstructive surgery on her jaw and face in January.  A scan last November revealed a four-centimeter tumor again behind her left cheek bone.

Jenelle began treatment again in December 2017.  The treatment this time has been more difficult on her and has resulted in hospital stays after most of the treatments.  Jenelle had hoped to continue working and going to school, but has had to put her life on hold for now.

On March 19, 2018, Jenelle went through an 11-hour surgery to remove the tumor.  The surgery involved deconstructing the left side of her face to reach the tumor and removing the lower left jaw bone.  Bones, muscle and veins were then removed from her back to reconstruct the jaw and left side of her face.  

A few days after her surgery, the tissue which had been moved from her back and placed in her face showed signs of dying.  She went through another 3-hour surgery to remove the dying tissue.  Once she is healed, she will need to undergo another surgery to replace the removed tissue.