Announcing Tbaytel Luncheon of Hope Keynote Speaker: Jessica Brown
Published Wednesday, September 20, 2023
By Graham Strong
A cancer diagnosis is scary enough when one life is at stake. But Jessica Brown had two lives to worry about. She was just 36 years old when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer – and 26 weeks pregnant with their third child. Two years following her initial diagnosis, she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer after scans discovered a tumour on her spine.
“Meeting our oncologist Dr. Ibrahim for the first time, I was shaking and terrified about what he was going to say,” Jessica said. “But his first words were, ‘Right now, from what I’m seeing, this is still curable. And we’re going to keep your son safe.’”
The fact that Jessica had advanced cancer while pregnant automatically made hers a specialized case. “I wondered if I should maybe go out of town for care,” she said. Fortunately, Dr. Ibrahim had already talked to specialists in Toronto and New Jersey to find the right chemotherapy and treatment plan for Jessica and baby Lennox. “I talked to those people, and they were impressed by Dr. Ibrahim’s treatment plan for us. We felt safe here.”
It was also one less thing to worry about.
“All you want when you’re diagnosed with cancer is… as much time as possible with your family, here on earth,” Jessica said.
It would have been a tough decision between leaving home for cancer treatment and spending what time you have with your children, she said. Luckily, it was a decision Jessica didn’t have to make. She was able to get all her cancer treatments right here in Thunder Bay.
After genetic testing, Jessica found out she had the CHEK2 mutation. It’s hereditary, even though there wasn’t a history of breast cancer in her immediate family. However, her mother found out that she also had the mutation. She underwent a double mastectomy, lowering her risk of getting breast cancer by 95 per cent.
“Silver linings – you can always find them somewhere in there,” Jessica said.
Jessica will share her story as the Keynote Speaker at the Tbaytel Luncheon of Hope on September 29. Now in its 30th year, this event started as a way to honour those who have fought breast cancer.
She hopes to reach other young people and especially those expecting a child.
“It can feel lonely and isolating. I want that community to feel seen and heard. Even if one young person sees this, then I’ll feel like I’ve done something. Young people do get cancer.”
Jessica is thankful for all the support generous donors have given in the thirty years since the Tbaytel Luncheon of Hope started. During that time, the event has raised over $500,000 for local breast cancer care and research.
"Talking to breast cancer survivors who have been there long ago can tell you the changes that have happened right in front of their eyes. That's hopeful, when you hear about people talk about all the changes to cancer care here in such a short time."
Today, thanks in large part to that community support, Lennox too is happy and healthy and is 2 ½ years old.
“I'm just so grateful for everything," Jessica said.
Join Jessica and listen to her story at the Tbaytel Luncheon of Hope on Friday, September 29, 2023. For more information and tickets, please visit: https://www.healthsciencesfoundation.ca/loh30
Jessica Brown, left, will be sharing her touching story at the Tbaytel Luncheon of Hope on Friday, September 29th surrounded by her family (l-r) Claira, Lennox, husband Porter, and Ellery.