Newman Family Adventures

If you are reading this, you most likely know me (Clare) as well as my family and my sister Jenny’s story. If this fundraiser randomly popped up on your Facebook and you are thinking, “who is this crazy person?” let me quick summarize why someone you know shared this post.

My sister Jenny, 25 years young, was diagnosed with a Freaky Health Concern (aka FHC aka fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma) about five years ago, January 2012 or somewhere around there. Since that time, she has done it all: graduated from TCU with a Bachelor of Science degree, moved to Colorado, graduated from Colorado State University with a Master of Science degree, moved back to Texas, and started work as a Health Fitness Specialist in Fort Worth. And while doing all of these life things, she simultaneously did all of these cancer things: 4 surgeries, 2 clinical trials, multiple drug combinations and chemotherapies, special diets, out-of-town consultations, and most likely many other things that I have since lumped together as part of her cancer battle. Because FHC is so rare and under-researched, our options have been dwindling. Most recently, at the end of March 2017, after a consultation with MD Anderson, Jenny was presented with a choice: try one more treatment that could debilitate her with side effects, or stop all treatment. She elected to stop further treatment. So what do we do now? We quit work, we file FMLA, we take a Leave of Absence from school, and we go on vacation of course.

In February of this year after Jenny’s most recent major surgery, when we didn’t hear what we wanted to hear from her [super awesome and very loved] surgical oncologist, Jenny started a bucket list. It’s a living document that she occasionally adds to, but you can see a current picture of it included on this page. In the upcoming months (May – July), Newman Family Adventures will set out to make these things happen. Many of you have already selflessly and generously supported Jenny and donated to her medical bills. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank y’all infinity times over. And consumed with humility, we ask for your help again. This is where I invite you all to be a part of the Newman Family Adventures. From near, or afar, there is something you can do for Jenny, if you wish to do anything.

If you like to travel, you could share your travel stories with us, from Hawaii or NYC, to help us figure out the best places to see and things to do (feel free to contact me through this page with your awesome ideas!). If you like to share stories, you could pass this on to your Facebook friends and loved ones. If you are in a place emotionally and financially where you wish to support the Adventures monetarily, you could give a donation on this page (if you desire, please include with your donation something fun that you would like to contribute to – flights, lodging, Bobby Flay burger, Broadway tickets, spa day, NYC food, etc. – that way we can think of you when we are doing those things :D ). If you consider yourself a comedian, you can make us laugh and send your best joke to us (we may or may not flip it and take credit for it, but you can’t say I wasn’t fully transparent with our intentions!). And lastly, if you believe in the power of prayer, you could send one up for Jenny. Much love to you all, thank you for sharing in our lives and being a part of our Adventures.

 If you wish to read more about Jenny, follow these links: https://www.gofundme.com/morethancancer https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jennynewman (this one makes you sign up to read it, but no worries it is free!)