Nina Jacobson

On February 2, 2016, our best friend, Nina Jacobson, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Just one month prior to her diagnosis, Nina had to say her final goodbyes to her mother who also had breast cancer. Nina’s mother Penny, fought for 3 long years with unremarkable grace, poise, and strength until she eventually grew too tired to keep fighting. Nina had lost her mother and best friend- her “person”. Cancer had already impacted Nina’s life significantly, but she didn’t realize at the young age of 29, she would also be faced with this personal battle. Despite the overwhelming heartbreak and challenges Nina had faced in the months leading up to her diagnosis, she vowed to take on this unexpected journey with courage, a positive attitude, and a strong will to fight.Nina’s diagnosis was Stage ll Ductal Invasive Triple-Hormone Positive Breast Cancer, and after genetic testing she was also found to have the BRCA and ATM cancer genes. Nina knew this fight was going to be the biggest challenge of her life. Nina and her healthcare team created a treatment plan which included a double mastectomy, 16 sessions of chemotherapy, 8 months of hormone blockers given through a port in her chest, and egg harvesting. Currently, Nina has overcome two separate surgeries and is in the process of chemotherapy treatments.  Those who know Nina would describe her as a smart, fun-loving, and above all, caring person. She considers her friends to be family and always puts others before herself. Not only does Nina support her loved ones, but she has also supported the community of Rockford in many ways. She worked as an integral contributor to the On The Waterfront festival and Rockford City Market. Additionally, she has spent many hours volunteering for local charities and organizing city-wide events. Her generosity is not surprising, in fact, the story of Nina Jacobson and her family is one of kindness and community service. Her father, Lenny Jacobson, worked his career as an elementary school teacher and served as an Alderman in south Rockford. The Jacobson family has a long history of generously supporting their community, and now they need their community to return that support. All funds raised will serve to assist Nina with medical costs, fertility treatments, and accrued expenses while she is out of work. Nina’s breast cancer does not define who she is; it is simply part of her narrative from this point forward. She has learned the power of positivity and the true definition of strength from her “person”, and will continue this battle the same way her mother did. “I may lose my hair, I may lose my strength, I may lose my 29th year of adventures, but I refuse to lose the things that matter the most; my spirit, my faith, and my will to live and love with everything I've got.”#savethewomannottheboobies