Jen’s story began shortly after the birth of her second boy, Luca, on May 4th, 2007. At her 11 weeks post-delivery Jen was having rib and arm pain, her breast was redder and had developed a very large, hard mass. Jen was concerned and made a doctor appointment. Jen’s doctor immediately referred them to a surgical oncologist and Jen was seen that day. One day later, after several tests and scans, Jen was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer – HER-2/neu positive, receptor negative, invasive, ductal, stage III breast cancer with local lymph involvement. It is also known as Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Jen readied herself for the fight of her life. For nearly seven years, Jen experienced every up and down associated with a battle with breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is an aggressive and relentless foe and Jen fought through over 19 different chemo regimens, multiple radiation treatments, and experimental skin treatments. She came face to face with despair, grief, anger, and pain. But Jen always chose to tell the other part of the story. She spoke of the love and dedication of family, the meals in coolers, the chemo buddies, rides to appointments, legions of Go Jen Go supporters walking for the Cure. She told of the kindness of caregivers, doctors, and nurses. She was thankful for playdates for her kids, walks with friends, and the wonder of community. Jen would tell you the constant and continuous outpouring of support added more to her life than cancer was able to take away. In her fight against inflammatory breast cancer, Jen marveled at the amount of support she and her family were given. In the midst of financial struggles, emotional darkness, and constant health crises, she could count on friends and family to lift her up and provide strength when she felt she had none. She vowed to be that for other women, men, and their families fighting breast cancer. In that moment, the Go Jen Go Foundation was born and today it thrives. Today, the Go Jen Go Foundation is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation has raised over $700,000 and supported women and men in Charlotte and the surrounding areas. They offer financial assistance so that survivors can focus on their fight, not worry whether they can pay rent, put gas in their car, or buy gifts for their families at Christmas. Jen Pagani lost her battle with cancer on February 2, 2014. She left the world a foundation that carries her name, and her spirit lives through its good works.
