We first told you about Jillian a few years ago. We were in awe of her wonderful love story. (READ HERE)
For Jillian and Dan – let’s just say their first date – a coffee date – wasn’t all small talk. Jillian told Dan that she had cancer. Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma to be exact. She told me during an interview in 2017 that he took it pretty well, “I actually told him right at that first coffee date. I knew I wanted to go on another date with him, but didn’t think it would be fair to him in case he got serious. At that time, I was recovering from the damage radiation did so I just came right and told him about the stupid ACC diagnosis and how it’s so unpredictable.”
It was the start of something amazing. Simply amazing and beautiful. But the struggles were far from over.
Jillian Dombrowski is a warrior. She endured two surgeries (resulting in the loss of much of her tongue), radiation treatment and chemotherapy to become a two-time cancer survivor. The cancer came back a third time and, at the time of her wedding, she was given a mere six months to live. She was forced to fly to New York City every other week for the next 2 1/2 years to participate in an immunotherapy trial as a last ditch effort to stop the spread of the disease. The cancer disappeared but, as fate would have it, the very immuno drugs that seemingly helped her weakened her heart to the point of heart failure. She was rushed by ambulance to the hospital where it was determined lack of blood flow caused multiple strokes to the front part of her brain. To quote the attending physicians, it was ‘taking heroics just to keep her alive.” On life support with survivability uncertain, she was faced with several more obstacles, including diminished responsiveness, the inability to move her limbs and even the near loss of her leg due to a lack of circulation. It’s going to take many months of physical therapy for her to regain her motor skills, and likely just as much speech therapy to restore her ability to communicate.
Needless to say, medical bills and living expenses will continue to mount while she fights to restore her life.
Can you even imagine? After fighting cancer for so long – after seemingly beating it – now, this happens.
It’s not stopping this amazing and beautiful warrior. And we are not shocked. Her strength and courage are an inspiration.
But, let’s face it – Jillian and Dan need our help.
Friends and loved ones have come up with some ways you can help this beautiful couple. Here’s more information from the Team Jill’s Journey FB Page.
This is a TRIPLE event to raise much needed funds to assist in Jill’s long term recovery.
Here is how you can help!
1. Monetary donations through the venmo link attached or check. Checks may be made payable to Dan Dombrowski and mailed to
J. Dombrowski c/o Dee Miller
71 Harmony Lane
Cheektowaga, NY 14225
or 2. Join us for a Happy Hour from 6-9 September 24th at Magruder’s – open bar to include draft beer/wine. Ticket informational follow.
or 3. Same day September 24th 2-9, huge basket raffle at Magruders’s small banquet room. Live draw at 9, you do not need to be present to win.
Come to the happy hour and stay for the raffle!
More details to follow! stay tuned!
Basket and raffle donations can be dropped off at 71 Harmony Lane
Cheektowaga, NY 14225
If you can help, please do so. Just sharing this post can make a difference.
God Bless you Jillian – we are here for you today and always!!!!
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