For over four years now, my fiancee Jennifer has faced a most formidible opponent: cancer. In 2009, after experiencing an inability to swallow food, she sought medical attention and a tumor was found in her esophagus. At the age of 25, she was one of the youngest patients ever treated for Esophageal Cancer.

After the first round of radiation and chemotherapy, the cancer spread to her stomach and metastasized into her ovaries. An operation was scheduled to remove part of the esophagus and bring her stomach into her chest, but it was called off when it was found that the cancer had damaged her stomach and her aorta. Instead, she had a hysterectomy to remove the ovarian tumors. She was then sent home with a feeding tube, and scheduled for more chemo.

We were told at this time that Jennifer probably had six months to a year to live.

Despite the awful news, things actually started to look better in the Spring of 2010 until Jennifer was again hopsitalized to repair a hole in her stomach.  She healed from that surgery and astonishingly, her esophageal tumor diminished and life became almost normal. However, the next summer brought new abdominal pain, which signaled cancer's return, this time in the liver. A new regimen of chemotherapy held the cancer back for a second remission that would prove to be of a shorter duration.

Lesions returned to the liver in 2012, and a different chemotherapy was unsuccesful, so the treatment that had previously worked was tried again. The liver lesions again shrunk, but by 2013 cancer had returned to the original scene of the crime. A new tumor had developed in Jennifer's esophagus. A second round of radiation ultimately did not reduce the tumor and by November 2013 she was again hospitalized, this time for a blockage in her small intestine, which turned out to be cancerous. New cancer was also found in her stomach, on her liver, gall bladder, and her pancreas.

Jennifer has endured these horrible episodes with an infectious smile as well as an incredible amount of positive energy and grace. Her story has inspired many people to look at their own lives and be thankful for what they have and to consider what is truly important.

2014 finds Jennifer recovering from surgery where she had nearly a foot of her small intestine removed. She is preparing for her sixth regimen of chemotherapy in four years and will soon be fitted with an esophageal stent to help her eat as she has lost about 20 pounds through her most recent hospital stay.

Many people have asked what they can do, and we have never asked for much, but as Jennifer prepares for her biggest challenge yet, there are expenses that are starting to pile up, such as missing work for hospital stays and doctors' visits, those medical bills that insurance doesn't cover, things that we don't even see yet. What we hope to do here is to have a cushion against issues that are likely to be in the not-so-distant future so that Jennifer can get the care she needs without the worry that we can't keep the lights on or the rent paid. If you feel that you would like to do something to help Jennifer in this fight, along with your thoughts and prayers, this is a small, encouraging way to ease her burden.

We must acknowledge the hundreds of people: the finest doctors, nurses, assistants, and other medical professionals who have utilized the best that current science has to offer along with the utmost professionalism. Without these exemplary individuals, this story would surely have ended years ago. Thank you all!

Finally, we thank YOU for your consideration, kindness, and well-wishes.

Al Korth and Jennifer Hutcheson