Jennie Bicknell Memorial Fund
JENNIFER L. BICKNELL
September 4, 1964 - June 4, 2020
Jennie Bicknell lived a courageous life that embraced love of family and friends and the sheer joy of living, even in the face of adversity. She lived every day to the fullest and inspired all who had the fortune of knowing her to do so as well. She married, had two children and created a family filled with love, support, respect and laughter. Yes laughter, as Jennie’s keen joyful perspectives about life always would, even in darkness, find affirming humor that would lift the spirits of all around her. She was a constant reminder to all around her to live life to its fullest. To know her was to feel loved. People sparked to that and she formed an extended family of deep friendships. For all who have had the good fortune to know her, she will remain a daily reminder that life is what you make of it and that even in the seemingly darkest hour, if you just listen hard, you will hear that wonderful laugh leading you to the light.
The family has established two areas of giving to continue Jennie’s legacy and to help others in need.
A Financial Assistance Grant Fund has been set up in Jennie's name for women who have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer ,who are undergoing fertility preservation and this will help offset their cost.
Fertility is an important aspect of breast cancer care and survivorship. While treatments for breast cancer and other conditions can be life-saving, they can also damage fertility and can potentially reduce or eliminate someone’s ability to have biological children in the future. Under the direction of Dr. Molly Moravek, the Fertility Preservation Program at Michigan Medicine offers hope, innovation and support to adults and adolescents who may wish to build a family in the future, and/or add to the family they already have. Unfortunately, cost is often a barrier for women who wish to freeze eggs or embryos prior to their cancer treatment. Financial assistance grants have been established by the Dynami Foundation/ Jennie Bicknell Memorial Fund and her family. These grants will offset the cost that women face and will improve access to cryopreservation for these women, increasing their options for building a family when they are ready. These grants will be offered for women who are Diagnosed with Breast Cancer but want to have children but must delay for Chemo. Unfortunately, in the state of Michigan, it is rare for insurances to cover treatments that are available to preserve fertility.
A Financial Assistance Grant Fund has been set up in Jennie’s Name for women who are undergoing treatment for basic needs i.e buy groceries, childcare, prescription drugs, cover bills
In Lieu of Flowers, The Bicknell family has asked donations to be made to the Dynami Foundation for Breast Cancer. A memorial Fund has been set up in Jennie Bicknell ‘s name.
Jennie Bicknell Memorial Fund Recipients
Since we launched the Jennie Bicknell Memorial Fund in the summer of 2020, we have worked closely with the Bicknell family to honor Jennie's legacy and so far have assisted eight women on their journey with breast cancer. Here are a few of their stories:
Tanisha Kennedy
We are honored to introduce the newest Jennie Bicknell grant recipient, Tanisha Kennedy. Last week, our founder, Flora, proudly presented Tanisha with a grant to help with her medical care as she battles this deadly disease. Tanisha is a force! A bit about Tanisha’s story:
”Life has a way of testing our limits, sometimes in ways we could never have anticipated. My journey began with becoming a mother at the tender age of 16, a time when most of my peers were focused on high school and teenage pursuits. By 19, I was a mother of two, thrust into the role of a provider and protector far earlier than I had planned. With determination and an unwavering sense of responsibility, I took on the challenge, working tirelessly to ensure my children had the best possible start in life. In 2008, my world was shattered when I lost my son to epilepsy. The pain of losing a child is indescribable, a wound that never fully heals. The grief was overwhelming, but I knew I had to keep going for my surviving children. Each day was a battle to find the strength to move forward, to keep living and loving despite the profound loss. Life continued its unpredictable course, and in May 2023, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The news was devastating, a stark reminder of life's fragility. But there was no time to wallow in despair. I had responsibilities, a job, and people who depended on me. So, I faced this new challenge head-on, determined not to let it derail my life. In July 2023, I underwent a lumpectomy. The surgery was just the beginning of a grueling treatment journey. From August 2023 to January 2024, I endured 16 rounds of chemotherapy. Each session was a test of endurance, but I never stopped working. My job became a lifeline, a way to maintain a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos. I found strength in my routine, in the tasks that kept my mind occupied and my spirit engaged. Radiation therapy followed, with 30 rounds stretching into early 2024. On March 1, 2024, I rang the bell, marking the end of my treatment. It was a moment of triumph, a symbol of the battles fought and won. But it also signified the beginning of a new chapter, one where I could start to rebuild and refocus on the future. Through it all, my resilience has been my greatest asset. The hardships of early motherhood, the unimaginable grief of losing a child, and the relentless fight against cancer have all shaped who I am. I have learned that strength is not the absence of fear or pain but the courage to keep moving forward despite them. My story is one of endurance and hope, a testament to the power of the human spirit to overcome even the most daunting challenges.”
Amber
In November of 2020 during the height of the pandemic, Amber was diagnosed with Stage 4 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. A single mother of two beautiful girls, Amber has been battling breast cancer without a partner or close family as both of her parents have passed away. Amber is on her second round of chemo as the cancer has spread to her lungs, liver and brain. We simply can't imagine how difficult it must be for Amber to be raising her 8 and 10 year olds while battling this horrible disease.
Dorthilen Hayes
Dorthilen was diagnosed at the age of 27 with Triple Negative Breast cancer, a very aggressive subtype. She also found out she is a BCRA carrier. To make things more challenging, she found out she was pregnant while she was diagnosed AND was navigating all of this during the pandemic. In the winter of 2020, we gifted the Hayes family a monetary donation in honor of the Jennie Bicknell Memorial Fund to aid in medical expenses and necessities for her and her family of four.
Jennifer Gardner
Last summer, Jennie, a Romulus resident gave birth to her third baby - A GIRL! After a bout of postpartum (which affects 1 in 9 mothers), Jennifer had some unusual physical symptoms in her breasts and received some unthinkable news = she had breast cancer. A few days before the holidays last year, Jennifer had a double mastectomy and started chemotherapy a month later. In January, after some liver complications, she came to realize that the cancer had spread to her liver. Jennie's currently following a treatment plan at the Karmanos Cancer Institute and despite the circumstances, is so happy to be in their hands. We are SO grateful for the chance to help Jennie and her family with a portion of medical expenses in honor of our dear friend Jennie Bicknell. Let's continue to lift up Jennie, her husband and her three kiddos as she continues her battle.
Rosemarie Chila
We are honored to introduce our first grant recipient of 2024, Rosemarie Chila. Recently, we presented a grant to Rosemarie to offset her breast cancer medical expenses in honor of Jennie Bicknell and her incredible legacy that she leaves behind. Rosemarie is a gymnastic coach and often tells her students “We Can Do Hard Things.”
“In November of 2022, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Lobular Breast Cancer. At first, my treatment involved oral chemotherapy and immunotherapy. At first, it was working and the cancer was shrinking.
At the end of April of 2023, I got sick again and my doctors changed my dosage. That summer, I did another set of scans for pre-surgery and while my breast tumors had shrunk, my lymph nodes had doubled and it had spread to my lung and elsewhere. After that, I was longer able to work.
That summer I also started chemo and two months of A-C then 3 months Taxol. My latest treatment wrapped up before the holidays last year.
My new surgery is scheduled for February 14th 2024 (new boobs for Valentine’s Day!) A double mastectomy with lymph nodes on the right. I’m hoping for a full reconstruction. The healing will take 8-12 weeks, followed by six weeks of radiation as well as physical therapy.
I have been doing well. Less symptoms than most that go through this.
GOD is Good, All the Time!!
I continued to work at the first diagnosis. Once I had port put in July and was diagnosed stage 3A breast cancer, I had to stop. This is just a bump in my road. There is still to much I need to share with my students. God has got this! It’s out of my hands so it needs to stay out of my mind.
I love love love coaching all my kiddos in gymnastics. I have from parent tot, preschool, girls 4-6 and advanced girls 4-7. They bring me so much joy plus I get to get paid to play and continue my gymnastics. I miss it but I am looking forward to the challenge of getting back to gymnastics and coaching. Life is what you make it. I’ve been back to coaching gymnastics these last 10 years. But I’ve got so much more to do. I hope to be an inspiration to others going through this but also to all my kiddos that “I can do hard things”.
“I can do hard things” is one of the things I have my kiddos learn to tell themselves when they first start spending time in my classes.