Help Jennifer Martin fight breast cancer!
Donation protected
Family and Friends,
My name is Chris Hardwick and I am organizing this fundraiser for my sister, Jennifer (Hardwick) Martin, who is facing a fight with cancer.
On November 3, Jenn went in for a biopsy on her breast. She went home sore but in good spirits. She was not too worried. Why should she be? Our family has very little history of cancer. The results came back quickly. She saw her results on November 5 and what she read floored her. YOU HAVE BREAST CANCER.
Since that moment, it has been a whirlwind of emotions, questions, and uncertainty. It’s not as if 2020 hasn’t dealt out enough challenges. But cancer? C’mon!
Jenn has been through so much in her life, yet she’s overcome it all. She has been working so hard to rebuild parts of her life and has been working towards being in the best physical shape of her life. And now cancer wants a seat at the table. As she would say, “F&ck cancer!”
Jenn’s next step is lumpectomy surgery on December 10. Due to COVID-19 protocols, she’s currently quarantining until the surgery. This will cause her to use the last of her sick days from work. The lumpectomy is contingent on overdue genetic test results to determine if she carries the BRCA gene. If the results indicate that she does, she’s facing a double-mastectomy. This is a game-changer and significantly ups the ante on the treatment she will require, including reconstruction surgeries, treatments, and rehabilitation.
For now, we are focusing on the known course of action. Lumpectomy, radiation….kick cancer to the curb! Recovery from the lumpectomy will take 6 weeks. Why so long? Jenn’s job is very physical and her doctor wants her to take advantage of the full window of recovery. Somewhere in that recovery period, about 4-6 weeks after surgery, Jenn will begin radiation treatments too. Radiation will be 5 days a week and her course of treatment will last from 3-6 weeks.
This fundraiser acknowledges that Jenn has many battles to face, not only due to her diagnosis but also how to survive financially as she focuses her energy on her health. The time she will need to take off from work will affect her income significantly. On top of that, she is a single-mom with bills to pay, a family to support, and medical expenses that will mount very soon. Jenn's limited sick time will be gone by the time she has her first surgery and short-term disability does not kick in for another month afterward. It's all very overwhelming, as it would be for anyone. And even though Jenn has had to deal with the stress and anxiety of illness and medical expenses before, she has done so as a mother, as a caretaker. This hits quite differently as she is the one fighting for her life now.
On the bright side, Jenn’s prognosis is good. The cancer is treatable. There’s little comfort in that initially other than the doctor says, “You can win this fight.” But you still have to get up and fight the good fight. Jenn’s a fighter. She’s bull-headed (she calls it "determined"). If you know Jenn, you know she doesn't back down. She’s one of the strongest people I know. But even the strong need support.
She has a wonderful community of people around her. Her girls (Riley, Shelby, and Avery), her parents, her family, and friends all provide a strong support network and are stepping in to help out however they can. What I ask of you here is to help support a wonderful person, my little sister, as she fights the battle of her life. My money’s on Jenn in this fight. Always has been. She would sure love it if you could bet on her too!
My name is Chris Hardwick and I am organizing this fundraiser for my sister, Jennifer (Hardwick) Martin, who is facing a fight with cancer.
On November 3, Jenn went in for a biopsy on her breast. She went home sore but in good spirits. She was not too worried. Why should she be? Our family has very little history of cancer. The results came back quickly. She saw her results on November 5 and what she read floored her. YOU HAVE BREAST CANCER.
Since that moment, it has been a whirlwind of emotions, questions, and uncertainty. It’s not as if 2020 hasn’t dealt out enough challenges. But cancer? C’mon!
Jenn has been through so much in her life, yet she’s overcome it all. She has been working so hard to rebuild parts of her life and has been working towards being in the best physical shape of her life. And now cancer wants a seat at the table. As she would say, “F&ck cancer!”
Jenn’s next step is lumpectomy surgery on December 10. Due to COVID-19 protocols, she’s currently quarantining until the surgery. This will cause her to use the last of her sick days from work. The lumpectomy is contingent on overdue genetic test results to determine if she carries the BRCA gene. If the results indicate that she does, she’s facing a double-mastectomy. This is a game-changer and significantly ups the ante on the treatment she will require, including reconstruction surgeries, treatments, and rehabilitation.
For now, we are focusing on the known course of action. Lumpectomy, radiation….kick cancer to the curb! Recovery from the lumpectomy will take 6 weeks. Why so long? Jenn’s job is very physical and her doctor wants her to take advantage of the full window of recovery. Somewhere in that recovery period, about 4-6 weeks after surgery, Jenn will begin radiation treatments too. Radiation will be 5 days a week and her course of treatment will last from 3-6 weeks.
This fundraiser acknowledges that Jenn has many battles to face, not only due to her diagnosis but also how to survive financially as she focuses her energy on her health. The time she will need to take off from work will affect her income significantly. On top of that, she is a single-mom with bills to pay, a family to support, and medical expenses that will mount very soon. Jenn's limited sick time will be gone by the time she has her first surgery and short-term disability does not kick in for another month afterward. It's all very overwhelming, as it would be for anyone. And even though Jenn has had to deal with the stress and anxiety of illness and medical expenses before, she has done so as a mother, as a caretaker. This hits quite differently as she is the one fighting for her life now.
On the bright side, Jenn’s prognosis is good. The cancer is treatable. There’s little comfort in that initially other than the doctor says, “You can win this fight.” But you still have to get up and fight the good fight. Jenn’s a fighter. She’s bull-headed (she calls it "determined"). If you know Jenn, you know she doesn't back down. She’s one of the strongest people I know. But even the strong need support.
She has a wonderful community of people around her. Her girls (Riley, Shelby, and Avery), her parents, her family, and friends all provide a strong support network and are stepping in to help out however they can. What I ask of you here is to help support a wonderful person, my little sister, as she fights the battle of her life. My money’s on Jenn in this fight. Always has been. She would sure love it if you could bet on her too!
Organizer and beneficiary
Chris Hardwick
Organizer
Roscoe, IL
Jennifer Lynne
Beneficiary