Jessie Was a Fighter and Beloved Worldwide
Jessie Mastan brought joy to everyone she came into contact with. With her sparkling personality and humor, she had touched people literally around the world. Her CaringBridge site has thousands of people from many countries following her medical condition, and that had prayed for recovery that unfortunately never came. Before her passing, Jessie was a 9th grader at Maranatha High School in Pasadena, California. Before her cancer, she was an excellent soccer player and a track star. After her cancer treatments, being the fighter and competitor she was, she continued in sports playing golf and joining the school swim team. Jessie represented the City of Hope at the 2010 Rose Parade in Pasadena where she rode the float (see the video of her on YouTube here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMF5GUp-J3I). The doctors and nurses in the ICU at City of Hope have said they have never seen the level of support that Jessie has received from friends, family, school, and church members. Hundreds and hundreds of people visited the hospital to support Jessie as she fought for her life.
Interesting Jessie Facts
Jessie amazed and touched many people during her fight with cancer. Here are some facts that speak to her legacy:
– When initially diagnosed, she wasn’t expected to live more than 3 months. She survived for 2 years.
– The doctors were amazed that she never got sick during her chemo treatments. She spent her time after chemo cheering up the other pediatric cancer patients in the ward that were constantly sick due to chemo.
– After her surgery to remove the cancerous bone from her hip, doctors indicated she would never be able to walk again unassisted. She walked unassisted within 6 months. As a result of her accomplishment, the doctors at City of Hope determined they will never again tell a child that they will not walk again.
– According to the doctors, Jessie holds the world record for the smallest hospital stay after receiving stem cell therapy. Most patients are in the hospital in isolation for one to three months. Jessie left after only 17 days.
– Jessie touched many lives during her journey. As an example, one of the pediatric nurses that treated Jessie converted to Christianity because of her contact with Jessie.
Jessie’s Hopes
Jessie had hopes of being an archaeologist when she grows up. She loved the idea of being out there at the dig! As you may have guessed from the home page, her favorite animal was the woolly mammoth, and she was a huge cat lover. Her cat Sunny really misses her at home. If you have the means to help Jessie continue to receive medical treatment and pay off the huge medical costs already incurred, please donate to the Jessie Fund and help the family and other pediatric cancer patients and their families as well.
Jessie,
You will continue to inspire the many unknown people who have been touched by your story. Thank you for your shining example of how to live a life.
Stan, Karen, Haley, and Ella
Dear Jessie: Although I never had the honor and privilege to meet you, I truly feel like I knew you! Our two children attended ACS with you. Each and every night at bedtime one of the children would petition your name before the Throne of God. Through those prayers you became part of our family and will remain in our hearts forever!
Love, Paul, Cheryl, Rylie & Dante
Dear Jessie: I have never met you but I heard your story and I was touched. To the mastan family, I am terribly sorry for your loss from what I heard she was the strongest fighter. I will continue to pray for Jessie and your family.
Love,
Samantha Jensen
Dear Jessie.
I never got to meet you but i heard your story I’m a 16 year old you inspired me to look at life in a completely different way. I hope you having fun up there. hopefully i will have a chance to meet you (: Rest in Paradise
Love Jessica (: