Jessie's Ride For A Cure

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About Jessie's Ride For A Cure

In Memory of Jessica Lynn Marcellino, May 12th 1985 - Aug 16th 2009

Jessica was a daughter, sister, granddaughter and friend. A young, vibrant college student who loved God and life, she was a rare gem who always put family and friends above herself. Jessica's friends could always count on her to listen to their woes or help whenever asked. Jessica's heart of gold made her always willing to volunteer in one way or another and help her community. She always gave, whether it was the local Humane Society or Habitat for Humanity.

Throughout the final five months of her life Jessica never lost her determination to fight the cancer that grew rapidly insider her, even when the doctors continually told her her the outlook was very grim and the chances for survival were maybe...25%.

Jessica insisted on taking chemotherapy and anything else that was available. Her family did research, called every cancer clinic throughout the U.S. and even some outside of the States, but the answers were always the same: "There are no clinical trials or chemotherapy that will treat her cancer successfully because of its rarity."

Even with all that she never gave up. During the five months following her diagnosis while enduring chemotherapy, frequent ER visits, and hospital stays, she remained strong and always spoke of her future and what she wanted to do. She had plans to complete her schooling in the medical field. In her journals she wrote of the things she planned to do to make life better, not just for herself, but for others. She also wanted to open an animal rescue clinic.

Jessica also wanted to speak to groups about small cell ovarian cancer in order to help raise awareness and funds. There is so little known about this cancer and the symptoms are so vague that they usually go unnoticed. What we didn't realize then was how precious little time she had remaining.

Her outlook was "when" not "if" I make it.

Jessica touched so many people in so many ways with her gentle spirit, and even though she is now with her Lord, her life remains an inspiration. Life is precious and fragile. Jess used what time she had to do what she could.

Jessie's Ride for a Cure is an event to give back to the community in memory of Jessica. It was Jessie's wish to start a charity event "when" she made it through that would create more awareness for the type of cancer she had, small cell ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, she isn't here to see her wish come true.

For more information about this event, hosted by Harley Davidson of Grand Rapids:
www.jessiesrideforacure.com/

Please post your photos here to share the fun participants shared during this event. your photos could be used on the Jessie's Ride for a Cure website or on her Facebook page. Any other uses will be specifically requested by a contact to the photographer.