Grace McAlister
Reporter1@riverbendnews.org
Jessica McCormick is a Branford High School graduate who married her beloved husband, Mike, on May 31, 2022. Early this year, McCormick discovered that she has stage three serous carcinoma ovarian cancer. She is now undergoing carboplatin and taxol chemotherapy. Recently, she was in the hospital for a week for blood clots in her lungs, also known as pulmonary embolism. She had a radical full hysterectomy with the removal of multiple tumors ranging from nine to 16 centimeters. Cancer was found in her bladder with malignant free fluid in her abdomen. Although she currently has health insurance through her job, she still has magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography scans that insurance will not cover because the company didn’t deem them medically necessary for her diagnosis. Due to her treatment, she is frequently unable to go to work, which has been financially difficult for her and her husband. Her car also recently stopped working due to the transmission, making transportation to her treatments more difficult.
High-grade serous carcinoma is the most common type of ovarian cancer, accounting for approximately 75 percent of epithelial ovarian cancers. Because it is the most common type of ovarian cancer, it is often the default type that's referenced in discussions of ovarian cancer unless another type is specified. Her long-time friend, Taren Reaves, organized a Facebook fundraiser to help McCormick cover her expenses. To find the fundraiser, search “Jessica McCormick Medical & Personal Expenses Fundraiser” on Facebook. Alternatively, you can donate to McCormick directly through Cashapp at $JessLynnLove444.