Type of Sarcoma: Myxoid sarcoma
Date of Diagnosis: December 2014
Location: Foot
Jenn was getting a pedicure in 2013 when she was pregnant with her first child. During that pedicure, the nail tech discovered a pea-sized nodule on top of her right foot. She had a physician check it, only to be told it was a ganglion cyst. In 2014, while pregnant with her second child, that pea-sized nodule grew to a golf ball sized mass.
Post-delivery of her second child, she was scanned and biopsied, only to show the mass was benign. Surgery to remove the mass was still recommended due to the size and location of the mass. On December 3, 2014, the mass was removed. Pathology went on to prove that this benign cyst was actually not benign, but a low-grade myxoid sarcoma. Due to the location, a second surgery to ensure clean margins was not an option, so she chose to be watched.
She went on to have scans of her right foot and lungs as recommended for the next 3 years. She remained clear until January 2, 2018, when scans revealed cancer had returned as a thin layer on top of her entire right foot. After seeking multiple opinions, amputation was the only option to give her the best chance at a cancer-free life.
On March 7, 2018, Jenn did a Facebook live video requesting friends and family to move for her and those who physically can’t on her surgery date. This request unknowingly became a movement. So, on March 12, 2018, Jenn became cancer free, and the social media world flooded with #moveforjenn and #movebecauseyoucan posts globally. People all over the world were sharing posts with all forms of exercise in honor of Jenn and her request. This movement led her to realize that being an amputee, and someone who wanted to remain active, would be difficult without ample means of funding. Most insurance providers will only cover one prosthetic per person, if that.
Jenn’s mission of helping other sarcoma amputees was born when she and her husband, Miles realized the financial burden of being a young, and active amputee. Everyone should have the right to move how they want to. Child or adult. They started a Foundation: The Move For Jenn Foundation to help ease that financial burden for as many individuals as they can. Move For Jenn Foundation – Supporting Sarcoma Amputees & Research
The mission of the Move For Jenn Foundation is to offer grants in the form of activewear prosthetics to those who have suffered the loss of a limb to sarcoma or other affiliated diseases. Since most activewear prosthetics are not covered by insurance, the foundation bridges the financial gap to allow amputees to get back to the physical activities they enjoyed prior to amputation.
The Move For Jenn Foundation also aims to find a cure for sarcoma and better treatment options for sarcoma patients. Targeted research, awareness, and advocacy are three core objectives that make the foundation unique.
