When my mom was 35 years old, she and my dad found out they were expecting twins (spoiler alert-one was me). As her pregnancy progressed she noticed changes in her body. At 35 years old, with a 7 year old and a 2 year old, and expecting twins, she found out she had stage 3B breast cancer.
There was much debate from doctors all over the country on how to treat my mother. You see, the hormones that were growing my brother and me were the same hormones feeding the tumor that was killing my mother. The doctors decided to take me and my brother 6 weeks early, and only ten days later my mom began chemotherapy. Her cancer was so progressed the doctors prepared us for her not being here by 5th birthday.
During this storm, there were also many rainbows. I had so much prayer covering me even before I was born. Fellow Christians began a ministry for my family. And now? Well that was over 18 years ago, and I am happy to say my mom is a survivor! I often ask myself why my God gave me a mom with cancer. But having such an impactful birth and family story has led my Christian faith my entire life. I put leadership and ministry in the forefront of my life. I have dedicated myself to serving others in my community. As soon as I could walk I was helping my mom volunteer breast cancer events and sharing my story.
Today, as a senior in high school, I am a member of several organizations at my school. One that is dear to my heart is the student council. Each year we sponsor a “Christmas Visions” program, which provides Christmas presents to Jefferson County students in need. We organize donations and fundraisers and raise over $35,000 each year. The best part is shopping for the wishlist. I enjoy shopping for bikes and even toothbrushes thinking about the child’s smile on Christmas morning.
I Samuel 12:24 says “..Fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” My desire is to serve with a servant’s heart with admiration for who created me- and gave me this testimony.
Click here to learn what winning the scholarship would mean to Jadyn!
