June 5, 2016 · 1:00pm

1pm
$2o in advance/$25 at the door/$100 VIP Ticket

Get your tickets!

Jessica’s Story: Never Say Never – The Pancreatic Fight

It’s an afternoon of fun, food, music, comedy and more to raise funds for Jessica Gutierrez. Here is a message from Jessica about her need:

My name is Jessica Gutierrez and I have struggled with Type 1 diabetes for 21 years.  It has been a roller coaster journey since day one.  Due to being such a brittle diabetic, I have acquired a lot of unfortunate complications along the way. I can no longer feel when my sugar drops which leads to seizures and blackouts — everyday life is very dangerous for me. The only option I have for a healthy life is to have a pancreas transplant.

After graduating from Upper Darby HS, I attended The Art Institute for Fashion Design and then graduated from cosmetology school. I had just begun my career as a junior stylist when the complications from my diabetes forced me to not only walk away from my career but also my second family. I had no choice but to relocate to Lancaster, PA for my family’s support.  That was four years ago and I have not been able to work since.  With a new pancreas I will be able to pursue my dream and once again work in a profession that I love. I believe with the support of my family, friends and community, together we can CURE me of Type 1 diabetes.

Receiving a transplant is a life-changing experience, but it is physically, mentally, emotionally and financially challenging. Even with insurance, I will have many uninsured transplant-related expenses such as: co-pays and deductibles, home healthcare, travel and temporary relocation housing for myself and a caregiver for at least one month post-transplant and the costly anti-rejection medications that I will need to take for the rest of my life.

To help with the financial burden of my uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in my honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community- based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are tax deductible, administered by HelpHOPELive in Mid-Atlantic Pancreas Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider making a donation today and click the DONATE NOW button.

Thank you for all of your support and generous gifts. Without all of you none of this would be possible.   So I thank you from the bottom of my heart and what I hope will be my new pancreas!