Today was another great day and meeting with my two LLS buds, the national office and hubby to work on logistics and details of the national Planned Giving Pilot we've been working on for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!
I love the brainstorming process and when things all start to come together with great synergy!! Truly looking forward to seeing how this all turns out as there are many great ideas and ways to make this an inspiration and educational event for current and future LLS Donors.
So thankful for the opportunity to work on this with so many wonderful team members.
Love,
Jessica L. Cassidy
Mrs. Michigan International
Exciting news, Jessica ! The 21st Century Cures Act has passed the House of Representatives by a
vote of 344 to 77. Now the fight moves to the Senate. Rep.
Dave Trott voted for the bill – Jessica , can you take a minute to
thank your representative for supporting cancer patients? It's critical to show elected officials we're watching their votes – and
counting on them to stand with blood cancer patients, today and tomorrow.
It's how we hold them accountable for their future support. It makes a huge
difference. Write
to Rep. Dave Trott now to say "thanks" for supporting
21st Century Cures >> This victory is the result of months of hard work, including letters,
calls, and office visits from advocates like you. If we can pass 21st
Century Cures in the Senate, we'll streamline approvals for critical
medicines and get life-saving cures to cancer patients more quickly.
Thank you for all that you do for blood cancer patients and their families
– onward to the Senate!
Sincerely,
Sharon Ladin
Executive Director, Advocacy
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Back in April we had a client lose her husband suddenly and during that time her son came in for a month to stay with her to help handle affairs associated with the loss of a loved one. During that time he became very ill but was unsure what was wrong. Upon returning home (Arizona) he was admitted to the hospital for fever, nausea, pain, lymph node swelling amongst a plethora of other symptoms. He receive a complete work-up, spinal tap and biopsy included, and finally was sent home to rest.
After calling to check in, he gave me the run down of the possibilities of what his illness may be. The list was Fungal Meningitis, Valley Fever or Lymphoma. Being connected as deeply as I am to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society my heart dropped with the possibility of Lymphoma and that he would potentially have to fight for his life, in addition to just losing his step-father. During our conversation, I assured him that if it were the latter of the three that I would help him connect with LLS in Arizona and provide him all the patient service information he would need. Of course he was appreciative, however, this was the first time in my life that I wished someone meningitis or valley fever. It was the strangest feeling ever.
Today I received a wonderful call from Danny's mother to let me know that they finally had results............................VALLEY FEVER and FUNGAL MENINGITIS!!!! I don't think I have ever been happier for someone; NO LYMPHOMA!!!!! WHEW! Needless to say this call made my day and am so thankful that he received better news than he planned for!
I realize that the "C" word is one of the worst words in the English language and I am so grateful to have healthy children and a healthy family!
Hug your loved ones just a little more and a little harder today!
Love,
Jessica L. Cassidy
Mrs. Michigan International
Dear Jessica , Thanks for sending a message to your Representative in support of the
21st Century Cures Act. With your help, we can improve the federal drug
approval process and save lives by ensuring that cures get to patients even
faster, saving lives in the process. Before the House votes on 21st Century Cures, we need to make sure
Representatives hear loud and clear that they need to support this measure.
Will you help raise the volume by sharing this action with your friends and
family? Share this action with your family and friends on Facebook or on Twitter, or just forward the message below.
Watch your inbox for continued updates on this issue. Thanks again for
being a part of this fight. Sincerely,
Sharon Ladin
Executive Director, Advocacy
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ----------------------FORWARD MESSAGE BELOW--------------------- Right now, it takes nine years or longer for a new cancer treatment to
make its way to the market. Nine years is too
long for patients to wait for life-saving cures. We need to update the drug approval process and accelerate the pace of
breakthroughs. And right now, the House of Representatives is considering a
bill that would do just that: the 21st Century Cures Act.
This morning I opened up my Yahoo and came across this story. I cannot even imagine what this family is going through and my heart just breaks. I can only hope and pray that these munchkins beat cancer.
This family is from Jacksonville, FL which his where the Mrs. International pageant is taking place. This really hits home for me as my mission to help find cures through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is in every fabric of my being and is my sole purpose for competing for the coveted title of Mrs. International. It's to give a voice to those who are weak, scared and fighting for their lives. To help improve therapies and bring innovative therapies to patients.
I am praying for this family.
Love,
Jessica Cassidy
Mrs. Michigan International
Emma, left, was recently diagnosed with leukemia and her identical twin Ella, right, is now undergoing tests. (YouCaring.com)
Three small children two years apart present enough challenges for any parents, but throw leukemia into the mix and you have the truly daunting case of Lacey and Will Smith of Jacksonville, Fla. Just days before identical twins Emma and Ella were born 8 weeks early in 2013, their big brother Liam, now 5, was diagnosed. Still grieving the loss of the girls’ triplet sister, who passed in utero, per a YouCaring.com page, Lacey and Will were suddenly caring for two premature babies and a toddler battling cancer.
The challenge took everything they had, so much so that Lacey said her biggest fear is that Liam’s cancer would return when he was in remission. Now perhaps a worse scenario: not only has Emma, now 2, been diagnosed with leukemia, but Ella isn’t in the clear yet as she undergoes testing, reports WSB-TV.
Drowning in medical bills, the family is asking for help—and as of this writing has passed $30,000 of their $100,000 goal to help cover expenses. Their YouCaring.com page has been shared about 12,000 times, with commenters offering free photography sessions and help with errands. Lacey is posting updates on Facebook, and wrote last week that Emma is “doing great” on her third day of chemo, though she is “starting to feel the effects of the steroids; increased hunger, angry spurts and short temperament.” Her brother Liam, who is in remission but has a year of treatment ahead, is giving Emma all sorts of advice, including the best rooms to visit and how to score animal crackers. (Good news: One leukemia treatment has a stunning success rate.)
A while back we were approached by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to develop a National Planned Giving Pilot Program to launch in Michigan. We of course accepted the challenge and have been working with the committee to develop the pilot. We have an official November launch and look forward to our upcoming meeting on the 7th with Frank Canning - LLS Senior Director Partnership, Pam Swenk - Executive Director, Illinois, Doug Glazier - Executive Director, Michigan to discuss the additional logistics and planning items for the event!
Truly looking forward to a great meeting with great people!!
Jessica L. Cassidy
Mrs. Michigan International 2015
Today was my youngest child's birthday! It amazes me how time has flown and the little tiny peanut she was is no longer. Though I miss my tiny little peanut, it is so exciting to see her grow and learn every day. She is becoming quite the character and is the sweetest cuddle bug I know.
The day of her birthday we were supposed to have a baseball tournament that ended up getting rained out so it was a great opportunity for us to spend the day with her. Even though she was disappointed that she didn't get to hang out with her baseball family we made sure she had a great day which in the end included some of our baseball family.
So proud to have the privilege of being her mother.
Love,
Jessica Cassidy
Mrs. Michigan International 2015
Today was my youngest child's birthday! It amazes me how time has flown and the little tiny peanut she was is no longer. Though I miss my tiny little peanut, it is so exciting to see her grow and learn every day. She is becoming quite the character and is the sweetest cuddle bug I know.
