In 2012 Vanessa was diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma (mouth cancer) and in order to remove the cancer, a portion of her tongue was removed. She was cancer free after the surgery and remained in remission for nearly five years.

On December 18th of this year, Vanessa was diagnosed for a second time with the same cancer but this time it had spread further than before. Her cancer this time around was classed as stage 3 and invasive surgery is recommended to remove the infected area before it spreads any further. She will be undergoing treatment that will possibly include a portion of her jaw and tongue being removed. Reconstruction of her jaw would be necessary in this case. This treatment will need to be done off island.

Vanessa loves being a teacher and wishes to receive the needed treatment as quickly as possible so she can return to doing what she so passionately loves.

She is also the mother of three young and beautiful little girls who still need their mother. She Hopes to be able to spend more time with them as they grow older.

Any and all help given would help keep her wishes possible.