Dear Friends-

It's been some time since we've given an "update" and we have a lot to share with you. In October of 2007, CT scans revealed that Jessica's cancer was starting to grow back. We went for treatment option opinions to The Arthur James Cancer Center at OSU in Columbus where the doctor there started her on Navelbine, a chemotherapy drug that's shown great promise with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Since then, she has been getting this treatment every other week, locally, at Dr. Knight's office (The Hope Center for Cancer Care). Scans this past January revealed that it has helped immensely, greatly shrinking the disease's activity! A few months ago, Dr. Knight added the drug Rituxan, hoping that this drug would shrink the disease even more, but a new scan last month showed that the disease is still as it was back in January. He discontinued the Rituxan for a few weeks, but the decision has now been made to give both drugs again since we are finding, through her blood work, that it may have been helping more than we initially thought.

Late last year, we were told by both OSU and The Cleveland Clinic that the only "probable cure" for Jessica would be a donor marrow transplant. With this in mind, the decision was made to have the transplant done at The Cleveland Clinic as opposed to OSU. At that time we, along with the medical personnel, decided to wait until after Stefanie (Jess' twin sister) and Adam's July 12th wedding, since recovery from a donor transplant is much more involved than Jess' other two transplants, which used her own stem cells, and her desire to be part of the event warranted a few months wait. Little did we know then, nor did we expect to find, that she carries an uncommon haplotype (a DNA structure) which in turn would show that her DNA would not match to any of her 15 first-degree relatives who were tested. The Clinic then turned to The National Donor Marrow Program Registry and with a grant awarded by the NDMP, they tested four cord bloods which showed great promise. Unfortunately, these four did not prove to be a suitable match either.

In order to not only increase the number of individuals on the Registry, but hopefully find a donor for Jessica, we will be holding a Donor Marrow Drive on Saturday, January, 17, 2009 at the Girard Free Library's Community Room, 105 East Prospect Street , Girard. The Drive will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. There is a $25 fee per person for initial testing. This is a very simple test - a "mouth swab test", which collects enough DNA to get things started! Family and friends have been selling candy bars and accepting donations which have raised funds to cover the cost of 150+ donors. But we ask that, if possible, you cover the cost of your test, as our family will incur additional costs once we find a match. Individual and company donations are greatly appreciated. Checks can be made out to "Friends of Jessica Zifchak" and mailed to Charter One Bank, 35 South State Street , Girard , OH 44420 or dropped off at any Charter One Branch location.

If you wish to be tested but are unable to attend, you can still be part of the drive. Email me with your name, address and phone number. A consent form will be mailed to you which you will need to return to the NMDP along with a $25.00 check. A "kit" will then be sent to you with instructions. More information on the NMDP can be found at: www.marrow.org

Also, a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser will be held on Sunday, February 15, 2009 at the IFH Club, 33 West Wilson Avenue, Girard to help with additional testing costs. These costs, which are not covered by insurance, can range up to $1,800 per potential matched donor, and additional transplant/medical expenses are expected once a donor is found.

A Chinese Auction will be held at both events. Any full baskets, items that can be included in baskets, or monetary gifts to purchase them, would be greatly appreciated. Please email us for more information or pickup arrangements.

Recently, we created a blog with Jessica's story and updates on events which you can visit at: jessicazifchak.blogspot.com

In closing, particularly during this Season of Hope and Miracles, we ask that you forward this email to everyone on your personal email list or give copies to your friends. Not only do we want to reach as many people as we possibly can to spread the word about Jessica, hoping to find her a donor, but if each and every person who reads this letter stops and says a prayer for her, we have no doubt that her Journey will be made easier and perhaps we will receive a miracle of our own!

Thank you, dear friends, from our entire family, for your prayers, your love and your continued support.

Love,
Chris
jessandchriszifchak@yahoo.com
jessicazifchak.blogspot.com