While fighting her own health battle, she supports other kids

In September 2021, Jocelyn was diagnosed with Acute T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL). She was only 13 years old. This type of leukemia is rare and is more frequently seen in older children.  It often causes an enlarged thymus (a small organ in front of the windpipe), which can sometimes lead to breathing problems.

Jocelyn’s symptoms started in the summer when she found it difficult to breathe during her dance and cheerleading routines. She had visited the doctor several times, but it was initially thought to be allergies or asthma and Jocelyn was given two new inhalers. However, when Jocelyn had significant breathing troubles while cheering at a football game, her family went to a Nationwide Children’s Hospital Close to Home Clinic. They learned that her condition was much worse than they had believed. A scan on her chest discovered a mass, and the next day it was confirmed to be cancer. She was immediately sent to Nationwide Children’s Emergency Room and then to the intensive care unit.

It’s nearly unimaginable to a parent to have to tell your child they have cancer. Jocelyn’s mother and father, Allina and Charles, felt as if their whole world had gone dark. The mass found in Jocelyn’s chest was blocking almost half of her esophagus, and fluid was forming around her heart and lungs. For three weeks, Jocelyn had a drain in her chest. The mass broke down after two days of chemotherapy, but she then developed acute kidney dysfunction and had to undergo dialysis for three days.

On October 2, 2021, Jocelyn was able to go home. She had lost a considerable amount of weight and the muscle mass she had gained through cheerleading and dance. This resulted in severe fatigue, making it difficult for her to take the stairs or even to walk normally. While Jocelyn is back home, her treatment continues. Her family has spent many hours in the Hematology/Oncology unit as Jocelyn has been readmitted to the hospital several times for necessary care.

Jocelyn is still in a maintenance phase, going through treatment and trying to regain her strength. Jocelyn knows that she has a long road ahead, but she looks forward to just being a teenager again and getting back to normal. Her treatments are scheduled to end on January 18, 2024.

In a year of constant change, Jocelyn’s spirit and thoughtfulness, as well as the community that passionately supports her, remains the same. She noticed during her time in the hospital that not all of the children had access to technology for entertainment or education. In September 2022, Jocelyn presented a check for over $10,000 to Nationwide Children’s to pay for electronics and streaming services for patients who need them.

This young woman has exemplified what it means to give to others.  Despite having to deal with a devastating illness, she has chosen light instead of darkness. This holiday season, when you follow Jocelyn’s lead and donate to Nationwide Children’s, you will light up the hospital lawn with glowing butterflies and in doing so, light up patients’ young lives.