Jessi McCausland

On October 3, 2020 we received the life changing news that Jessi has Metastatic Melanoma which has spread, causing liver cancer. Jessi is a daughter, a fiancée, a sister, a historian, an animal lover, and one of the kindest humans you will ever meet. She is determined to beat this cancer and she needs your help.

Who is Jessi?
 
Jessi grew up in the East Tennessee Valley with her parents, David and Linda, her sister, Rachel, and their countless pets. Growing up she loved the mountains, history, and anything related to crafts. Knitting, sewing, crocheting, baking, playing basically any string instrument. In high school she spent her summers volunteering in the local hospital where her father worked.

She has an associate’s degree from Pellissippi State Community College, a BA in History from Johnson University, and an MA in Public History from Appalachian State. Although she is a dedicated, life-long student, she is also a dedicated teacher. Her passion is teaching people about our National Park. In the course of her great adventure, she fell in love. In 2016, as an intern at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, she met Ranger Joe. Four and a half-ish years later he proposed to her in the same park where they met. Their wedding is planned for June of 2021 in the same place. They have dreams and plans together and with your support, those dreams can come true.

After being long distant for several years the decision was made in summer of 2019 for Jessi to take a break from the park services until they could find a park to work in together. She began teaching 6th-12th graders at a private school in Miami. Joe was offered a position in California so in June of 2020 Jessi and Joe made the cross-country trek from Miami Florida to California. Jessi was planning on looking for a job once they got there but with the Coronavirus Pandemic going on it was not possible. 

Hospitalization

In August of 2020 Jessi went to the ER because she was not feeling well. She was sent home with anti-nausea medication and told to follow up with her Primary Care Physician. She went and received no answers.

On September 28th Jessi went to the ER again but this time she was admitted to the hospital. After countless scans, tests, and a biopsy she was diagnosed with Metastatic Melanoma that has metastasized to her liver causing liver cancer on October 3, 2020.

Because Jessi is unemployed, she has marketplace insurance which is costly and will not cover all of her expenses. After even only a few nights at the hospital, her bills are expected to be more than she and her fiancée can afford. Although her dedicated medical team is searching for a hospital with inpatient oncology, the hospitals nearest to where they live have no vacancy or capability of treating her. This means that once she no longer requires inpatient care, she will need an apartment, a caregiver, and transportation as her fiancé lives hours away from facilities which have the kind of care she needs. Her family and future in-laws are ready and willing to pitch in and do their part to care for Jessi, but the expenses of travel and accommodations are already more than they can handle financially, especially in this pandemic.

Jessi needs your support. In this incredibly challenging time, she and her family humbly ask for a donation from you so she will have access to medical care, housing, and her family. Jessi is fighting for her life, and she needs your help. Every donation matters. Please share this with your friends, family, and on your social media accounts.

With love and thanks,

Jessi and Family