Mary Jennings-Morrisette fight against brain cancer

Help Mary Jennings-Morrisette, Public Health Nurse, as she deals with aggressive brain cancer.

In February, after weeks of noticing some cognitive hiccups, our beloved Mary Jennings-Morrisette was diagnosed with Glioblastoma (or GBM), a fast-growing, extremely aggressive Grade-4 brain tumor. Mary’s diagnosis is devastating, and heartbreaking for her and all of us who know and love her. Mary underwent surgery to remove an egg-sized tumor from her head on Friday March 15, and she is home now recovering. The operation went well with 99 % of the tumor successfully removed, but this is not a cure - it only buys a year (or less) of time while Mary tries a few alternative treatments.

As impossible as this is to comprehend happening to our Mary, it is the new reality.

The next phase of treatment combines targeted radiation and chemo over eight to nine months to slow down the spread of cancer cells as she looks to qualify for possible clinical studies for a cure. Treatments will be physically and emotionally difficult for Mary, but she is a fighter with a history of helping other people in need.

Mary is an NFP Public Health Nurse for the County of Alameda. During the pandemic she was a first responder — conducting coronavirus testing in the community and giving vaccinations in the Oakland area. She has also worked with many young underprivileged pregnant women, teaching them about optimum prenatal care, then following up with training on good parenting. Invaluable work in the community.

Now Mary needs our help. Her husband Mark and her children Tyler and Josie are with her every step of the way. There has been a huge outpouring of love and support from friends and family because we all love Mary so much. Now we band together to try to support her in any way possible.

Mary will not be able to return to work. Mary and Mark will need financial support in the coming months. They will need home care and will have significant expenses not covered by insurance, not to mention Mary’s loss of income.

Those of you who know Mary know she’s one of the most loving, kind, unique and giving people on earth. Mary has spent her life helping others. Now, she needs our help.

Please take a minute right now and contribute in whatever amount you are able. Thank you so much from the Morrisette and Jennings families.

(Garth Morrisette and John Jennings are organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Mary and her family.)