Support Jen's Fight Against Breast Cancer. Faith Over Fear!

Team Jen- Faith Over Fear

My name is Rachael and I am creating this Go Fund Me to help my friend Jen, and her amazing family, as she battles breast cancer.

Many of you know Jen and Dave Thornton. If you have a West Mifflin kiddo who plays baseball or soccer, no doubt Jen & Dave have cheered for them on the sidelines. (Extra loud in Dave's case, haha.) Dave might have even coached your child. Dave coached baseball for over 13 years. And when our girls desperately needed an indoor winter soccer coach, Dave did not hesitate to step up and volunteer!

This is an awesome family, beautiful inside & out, and now they need our help.

On Oct 16, 2024 Jen was diagnosed with breast cancer (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma / DCIS.) The family is in need of immediate help, as well as help over the next few months, as Jen will be taking time off of work to endure her medical treatments. This family has never asked for help and always just fought for things as a family. But Cancer changes everything. Any amount given would be helpful and appreciated.

Here is Jen's story, in her words...

October 12, 2024: "Every needle poke has a memory, every scar tells a story of how I got here, every click of the biopsy gun is ear piercing and reminds me I'm now in for the fight of my life. Last weekend, I noticed an abnormality in my breast. My doctor was able to see me on Tuesday and ordered immediate imaging, and the mammogram and ultrasound were completed on Wednesday. His words, the avoidance, the look on his face and tone of his voice told me before the words came out "what I see is the highest level of suspicion and I believe you have breast cancer". How can this be, I wasn't prepared for that news, I was alone, I thought at worst it would be atypical cells again?! I just had surgery in March of this year for atypical cells. It was all removed. My biopsy was completed yesterday, as I was still looking for reasons this could not be true I asked the doctor if there is a chance they could be wrong or it's something else and I was told if this comes back benign she would think she got a bad sample that's how confident they are it's cancerous. This isn't fair, I'm only 43. When we were kids, you only heard about the elderly and cancer, not middle-aged moms. I have my highs and think I will beat it, and then I have my very low lows and think who am I kidding. I work for the freaking Cancer Center and see it every freaking day. I will fight, it's not going to be pretty but I will do it for my family. I tell this story to please take care of yourself, get your mammograms, if you feel something, say something!"

October 17, 2024: "And just like that last night our world changed...the confirmation of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma / DCIS. Everything moved very quickly today. My breast MRI is tomorrow morning, and an appt with my surgeon to discuss options is Oct 29th. Not much information was provided yet on staging until they do a lymph node biopsy when they do surgery. There is a possibility of chemotherapy before or after surgery. I have my plan in my mind of how I want to proceed with a full mastectomy, and I'm hoping the doctors will agree. Please pray for David, Cody, and Cait's strength throughout this, and I will fight with everything I have for them."

Jen and Dave have been cheerleaders for our kids, and now we need to cheer them on and lift them up. This is a family who would literally give you the shirt off their back. (Caitlyn gave my daughter her jersey, 10 minutes before an away game once, to completely save the day!)

Dave has some unfortunate medical issues that have impacted his employment, making him unable to earn a steady income at this time. And Dave needs to be by Jen's side now, as well as needing to be very present and strong for their two children. Jen has worked very hard in health care her entire life. She has made it her life's work to help people get through illnesses from being an EMT, Mercy Ear Technician, home health care, and she has worked for Hillman Cancer Center for the last 10 years. Jen cares for everybody.

Jen's children Cody & Caitlyn are also very special. Not only are they extremely kindhearted, but they also both have the work ethic of serious adults. Every single day, they hustle at soccer and baseball. Cody works hard doing yardwork to help pay for his own baseball/traveling expenses. They do whatever it takes!

Any money donated will go towards bills and living expenses, during Jen's treatment, when she is off work. We also want to make sure Cody & Caitlyn are still able to go after their dreams (aka remain in sports). We need these kids on our teams! PLEASE! And they deserve the best.

You can also help by sharing this Go Fund Me to your page so that more people are reached. Also, please pray and pray hard!

Please help me to bless this family. Do it for Jen and for all of the brave souls who

are battling breast cancer, and continue

to battle breast cancer. This deadly and

unforgiving disease touches all of us: our

grandmothers, mothers, sisters, partners,

family, and friends.