Christopher Gill

Some say that unicorns don’t exist. But those who share that sentiment never knew the likes of Jennifer Gill — loving wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, friend, and Cystic Fibrosis (CF) warrior. Cystic Fibrosis, a rather hidden genetic condition, affects the lungs, digestive system, and heart, causing constant oxygen deprivation throughout the lifetime of the patient. After years of daily treatments, medications, sustained hospital visits, and constant monitoring of overall health, other organs begin to fail as oxygen saturation and CO2 removal are prioritized. Jenn was fortunate to have met her husband Chris in college, and shortly after they both graduated, they built a beautiful life in Penfield, NY, parenting two amazing children. A loving wife, Jenn was Chris’s biggest supporter. Jenn was a nurturing and devoted mother, encouraging her children in creative pursuits, academic excellence, and, quite simply, becoming amazing humans. She cheered them from soccer field and robotics competition sidelines, found joy and laughter to share, and ensured they knew she was their biggest champion. She treasured every moment with her children, creating lasting and unwavering memories even though she was continually fighting an internal battle. She exuded a constant strength and courage more than most adults could ever build up, from a soul who was repeatedly told she would never survive past childhood, let alone have a life well into her late 40s. In early 2026, Jenn's health began to take a turn for the worse. We had been planning with doctors and hospitals for roughly four years to prepare her mental and physical health for undergoing an eventual lung transplant surgery. During the first four months of this year, she had been in numerous hospital visits with transfers from Rochester to Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh to Cleveland, and Cleveland back to her home. While repeated assessments and tests were completed to determine eligibility for listing (not even a guarantee for transplant, which also introduced frustration, sleeplessness, anxiety, and additional pain), the inevitable ruin lay in the information shared with us that there were no life-sustaining options to get her healthy enough to get through the weeks/months-long transplant journey. The decision to return home and undergo palliative/hospice care at home, while challenging for her and her entire family, proved to be an all too quick experience, with her leaving this world in mid-June 2026 (a tribute to her life can be read here: https://www.democratandchronicle.com/obituaries/pnys1505081), just weeks after beginning home care. The outreach this week from family and friends has been tremendously heartwarming and comforting. Moments like these are a reminder that community isn't just a word - it's people showing up for one another when it matters the most! Over the past week, we have relentlessly heard, "How can we help?" and "What can we help with?" To those questions, know that YOUR contributions to our plea will help this now family of three cover the following: • Past medical costs (mostly from 2026) that were accrued during three ambulance advanced life support transports • Specialized treatments and equipment that were on lease for years • Past travel/lodging for hospital appointments for primary and secondary caretakers along with their families • Past food and sustenance during the remote hospital stay durations • Past unexcused or unpaid leave (partially covered in NY) • Supplemental funding to help cover the lack/ability to get more overall life insurance due to a pre-existing condition (Cystic Fibrosis) • Anything that makes the surviving family's life a little easier and brighter (meals, upcoming tuition bills, unexpected death costs) Every donation, no matter the size, means the world to us! If you’re unable to donate, sharing this page helps more than you know.