Pregnant and Battling Breast Cancer
Donation protected
At six months pregnant with her first child, and just two days after her baby shower, Jessica was diagnosed with breast cancer. What was originally thought to be an infection turned out to be a cancerous tumor. Six weeks after her initial diagnosis, Jessica is enduring an aggressive round of chemotherapy treatments with her amazing husband, Ben, by her side.
After four rounds of chemo, Jessica will have a break from treatments to give birth - several weeks before full-term - to a precious baby boy or girl. Once she has recovered from childbirth, she will begin another aggressive round of chemo, followed by radiation and, likely, a double mastectomy. Jessica has taken this diagnosis with grace and approached treatment with positivity and fervor, remembering that, through all of this heartache, there is a precious baby on the way.
As a healthy, young, mother-to-be Jessica planned to breast feed her baby when he or she came into this world. When she was told by her doctor that this wouldn't be a possibility because of chemo and radiation treatments, Jessica was devastated. Of course, a healthy Mom and baby is the most important thing. But breastfeeding is something Jessica had been committed to and was excited about. Human breast milk is so important for all newborns, but especially for babies born before full term. Breastmilk provides babies with proper nutrients, protection from infection and supports long-term health. Formulas found in the US contain ingredients that Jessica and Ben just aren't comfortable with.
Luckily, there are breastmilk banks that accept breastmilk donations from mothers who have an abundance of milk. These milk banks are equipped to provide safe breastmilk to mothers, like Jessica, who are not able to breastfeed their babies on their own. Not surprisingly though, milk bank milk is very expensive....up to $4 an ounce. With newborns eating up to 25oz in a day, it can cost up to $100 each day to feed a baby with breastmilk from a milk bank.
Ben and Jessica feel incredibly fortunate to have jobs that provide health insurance which will cover much of the medical bills associated with cancer treatment. But insurance will not cover the cost of milk. We are asking for donations to help cover the cost of vital breastmilk that will provide Jessica and Ben's precious baby with a healthy start in this world.
Armed with a plan, a strong and healthy marriage, a good dose of faith, supportive friends and family and an unwavering positive outlook, Jessica and Ben are fighting this horrible, heartbreaking disease tooth and nail.
Every single dollar donated, every single ounce, is important and appreciated. Thank you for your donation and your support.
- Colleen, Maureen, Amy, Andrea, Nathalie, Annie, Marissa, Katy, Darcee, Sarah, Sarah (a few of Jessica's oldest and dearest friends and her absolute biggest fans)
After four rounds of chemo, Jessica will have a break from treatments to give birth - several weeks before full-term - to a precious baby boy or girl. Once she has recovered from childbirth, she will begin another aggressive round of chemo, followed by radiation and, likely, a double mastectomy. Jessica has taken this diagnosis with grace and approached treatment with positivity and fervor, remembering that, through all of this heartache, there is a precious baby on the way.
As a healthy, young, mother-to-be Jessica planned to breast feed her baby when he or she came into this world. When she was told by her doctor that this wouldn't be a possibility because of chemo and radiation treatments, Jessica was devastated. Of course, a healthy Mom and baby is the most important thing. But breastfeeding is something Jessica had been committed to and was excited about. Human breast milk is so important for all newborns, but especially for babies born before full term. Breastmilk provides babies with proper nutrients, protection from infection and supports long-term health. Formulas found in the US contain ingredients that Jessica and Ben just aren't comfortable with.
Luckily, there are breastmilk banks that accept breastmilk donations from mothers who have an abundance of milk. These milk banks are equipped to provide safe breastmilk to mothers, like Jessica, who are not able to breastfeed their babies on their own. Not surprisingly though, milk bank milk is very expensive....up to $4 an ounce. With newborns eating up to 25oz in a day, it can cost up to $100 each day to feed a baby with breastmilk from a milk bank.
Ben and Jessica feel incredibly fortunate to have jobs that provide health insurance which will cover much of the medical bills associated with cancer treatment. But insurance will not cover the cost of milk. We are asking for donations to help cover the cost of vital breastmilk that will provide Jessica and Ben's precious baby with a healthy start in this world.
Armed with a plan, a strong and healthy marriage, a good dose of faith, supportive friends and family and an unwavering positive outlook, Jessica and Ben are fighting this horrible, heartbreaking disease tooth and nail.
Every single dollar donated, every single ounce, is important and appreciated. Thank you for your donation and your support.
- Colleen, Maureen, Amy, Andrea, Nathalie, Annie, Marissa, Katy, Darcee, Sarah, Sarah (a few of Jessica's oldest and dearest friends and her absolute biggest fans)
Organizer and beneficiary
Colleen Weissmann
Organizer
Chicago, IL
Jessica DeNoble
Beneficiary
