Janet Gaino has spent her life being the person others count on. Now she is counting on us.
Creatively, professionally, and personally—she’s the one who shows up, steps in, and somehow makes everything better.
Many of you know Janet through her creative production work, her jewelry and art, her humor, her generous friendship, her cooking and remarkable ability to bring people together.
We know her as family—and as someone who has always given far more than she’s ever asked for in return.
For over 50 years, Janet has used her talents to tell stories that matter. She has produced and created visual work for countless nonprofit organizations—honoring nearly 70 inductees for the Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame, helping bring to life the stories of critically ill children for Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina, and contributing her gifts to organizations like the March of Dimes, Airlie Gardens, the National Football Foundation, Open Gate Domestic Violence Shelter, the Children’s Museum of Wilmington, and One Love Tennis.
Her award-winning work has included a PBS documentary on the Special Olympics, along with public service campaigns for organizations such as The Davis Community, the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, and the Start With Your Heart campaign.
Janet has always chosen to do work that makes a difference—often giving her time and talents and creativity generously, even when it meant personal financial sacrifice.
This year, Janet’s story took an unexpected plot twist.
She experienced a medical emergency from blood loss in January which led to a diagnosis of stage IV uterine cancer. She has undergone multiple hospital stays, transfusions and a radical abdominal hysterectomy. She is now in the middle of an intense chemotherapy regimen. The physical toll has been significant—fatigue, neuropathy, and the daily challenges that come with treatment. And, there is a significant financial and emotional toll that accompany treatment.
In true Janet fashion, she continues to face it with strength, honesty, faith—and of course humor!
As she puts it:
“This wasn’t the plot twist I would’ve chosen… but here we are.”
Friends, adding to her challenge is her ongoing recovery from a serious fall in early November of 2025 that resulted in multiple injuries (broken bones) that impacted her ability to work and caused her to miss an important season for her jewelry business.
So when this diagnosis came, it didn’t arrive in isolation—it came on top of an already difficult chapter.
More recently, Janet has experienced a severe neurotoxic reaction to one of the chemotherapy drugs, resulting in significant peripheral neuropathy affecting her hands, feet, and face. Because of this, her treatment plan is now changing.
Janet is self-employed, and like many independent creatives, she does not have the safety net of paid medical leave. As she focuses on treatment and recovery, her ability to work has been significantly limited. At the same time, medical expenses continue to grow, and everyday living costs—housing, groceries, and basic needs—do not pause. Like so many facing serious illness, she has depleted her savings and is relying on credit cards and loans just to keep up. The debt and financial strain is overwhelming. Financial security is critical to her healing.
Those of us who love Janet have created a way for people to help in a tangible and immediate way.
If you feel led to support her, any contribution—no matter the size—will go directly toward easing the burden of debt, medical expenses and daily living costs, allowing Janet to focus on what matters most right now: healing. She's a fighter and can live a long and productive life after this initial course of treatment. But, the reality is, this is a lifelong battle. Let's give her the boost she needs now.
If giving isn’t possible, sharing this page or simply keeping Janet in your thoughts and prayers means just as much. If you know Janet, you know she’d much rather be the one helping someone else.
Janet’s faith continues to guide her. She often speaks about “renewal”—and even in the midst of this, she holds onto hope, grace, and the belief that she is not walking this road alone.
We are so grateful for the love, encouragement, and support already surrounding her—and for anything you feel moved to do.
With gratitude,
Julie Rehder and a host of friends and family who love Janet.
