We’d like to tell you a little bit about Jessica and why we have set up the CEDAR Trust.
Jessica radiated kindness and positivity. She was gentle, funny, courageous, and loving, without question a beautiful person inside and out. Jess loved so many things, walking in the woods, pink blossom on trees, delicious cakes and herbal teas, preparing travel itineraries, lighting fragrant candles, relaxing baths, fairy lights, fluffy flat-faced cats, creating and making, films, books, and musicals. She was meticulous in her organisation and planning and recorded all her aspirations and goals in a journal. She was undoubtedly a precious gift; so many people feel privileged and proud to call her their friend or relative.
During the summer of 2020 when our world took on an eerie silence and everything, but the virus, stood still, Jess began to feel unwell. Ever proactive in dealing with her health, Jess sought medical support whilst also doing all she physically could to ease her increasingly debilitating symptoms. Despite her proactive steps, by the time Jess was diagnosed with Stage 4 adenocarcinoma at the end of November, it was too late to treat such an advanced and aggressive cancer. During the 3 weeks Jess was in hospital, she taught us so much about grace, humility, dignity, and bravery. Devastatingly, she lost her life on 20th December 2020 aged just 27 years.
It is so important to us that Jessica is remembered and she continues to make a difference. She was passionate about raising awareness. In trying to make sense of what has happened, we recognise that Jess’ young age was a major stumbling block in achieving an accurate diagnosis. Our unexpected journey with Jess has highlighted the need for more support, funding, and research.
#BeMoreJess
