Finding Strength in the Journey: Jennifer’s Story

Hear Jen's experience with the Merrill Oncology Travel Fund

Jennifer first felt the lump in the shower one evening. She paused, her fingers going back over the spot, a quiet unease settling in her chest. But her annual mammogram was coming up soon, so she waited, telling herself she would mention it at her appointment.

When the day of her screening arrived, she pointed it out to the technician. What followed was a whirlwind—first the mammogram, then an ultrasound, then a biopsy. The initial results came back negative, but Jennifer knew something wasn’t right.

“I knew my body,” she said. “And I knew this wasn’t normal.”

She pushed for more answers, and soon, her worst fears were confirmed. What started as a single lump turned into a series of surgeries—a lumpectomy, then a partial mastectomy, and finally, a full mastectomy when doctors found cancer in her lymph nodes.

A registered dietitian by profession, Jennifer had spent years helping others lead healthier lives, guiding them on their wellness journeys. But when it came to her own battle, she struggled with how much to share.

“I kept it quiet,” she admitted. “Only my closest friends knew. It was just… easier that way.”

Even now, she still guards her story carefully, unsure how to let others in. Cancer had forced her into a world of vulnerability she wasn’t ready for, and sharing it felt like losing control over a part of herself.

Radiation will be next, requiring long drives back and forth for treatments. The financial burden will be heavy, and every trip means time away from work, more gas, more expenses. It wasn’t until one of her friends mentioned the Oncology Travel Fund that she realized help was available.

“I had no idea something like that even existed,” Jennifer said. “And I wouldn’t have known if my friend hadn’t told me.”

With the support of the fund, she will be able to get to her treatments without the added stress of financial strain. It was a relief she hadn’t expected, a kindness she hadn’t asked for but desperately needed.

She hadn’t realized how many people had come together to make that possible—donors, fundraisers, strangers who had no idea whose life they were touching. That’s why, when she heard about Skate to Elimin8, a fundraiser that supports the travel fund, she knew she had to be a part of it.

“I couldn’t give much, but I could give my time,” she said.

This year, she not only participated in the event, but she also volunteered—helping where she could, cheering on the skaters, and sharing her story in small, careful ways to encourage others to support the cause. It was her way of giving back, her quiet way of making sure the next person who needed help could find it.

“Cancer takes so much,” Jennifer said, “but it hasn’t taken my hope. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that help often comes from places you never expect.”



With radiation ahead and a long road still to walk, she knew one thing for sure: she wasn’t facing it alone.