Our beloved Jan — mother, Nana, teacher, and faithful servant of God — needs our help.
Jan is the heart of our family. She’s a mother to four wonderful children (Philip, Kassie, Kattie, and Matthew), a proud Nana to three grandchildren, and a devoted dog mom to her two pups. For over 20 years, Jan poured her heart into teaching, with most of her career spent at Borah Elementary, where she was known by many as the best kindergarten teacher ever. Her classroom was filled with joy, love, and learning — and her impact still lives on in the students and families she touched.
Even after her teaching career was cut short due to MS, Jan never stopped serving. She continued to volunteer in the school district, fought for accessibility in her community (including handicap-accessible swimming access to the river), and has always prioritized others’ needs above her own.
Jan is also a deeply faithful woman. Her strong relationship with God and her involvement in her church community have been guiding lights throughout her life — and especially now. Her faith, and the prayers of her church family, have carried her through the darkest days.
This past year, Jan was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer. She faced treatment with courage, actively undergoing chemotherapy — until, on Father’s Day, she was suddenly rushed to the ICU with a severe infection. It was so serious that she and her family prepared to say goodbye. But Jan is a fighter. With the grace of God and the love and support of her family and care team, she pulled through.
She was moved to a care facility for rehab on July 1st, only to be readmitted to the ICU with another infection on July 4th. By another miracle, Jan recovered again and is now strong enough to return to rehab as of today.
Our family has researched grants through various MS and cancer foundations — but sadly, most of these programs are either out of funding or have placed Jan on long waitlists. The financial burden is growing rapidly, and insurance only covers a portion of the care she needs. The out-of-pocket costs to keep her in rehab, where she can safely regain strength and independence, are far more than we can manage alone.
We are asking, from the bottom of our hearts, for help.
If Jan has ever touched your life — through church, school, family, or friendship — we invite you to join us in lifting her up. Any donation, big or small, will make a meaningful difference. And just as importantly, we ask for your continued prayers. Please pray for healing, strength, and comfort for Jan as she continues this incredibly difficult fight.
💗 Thank you for your love, your generosity, and your prayers. We believe God is not finished with Jan yet.
With love and gratitude,
Jan’s Family
