Meet the runners who will be representing Expect Miracles Foundation and raising funds for our mission at the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on November 1.
Jocelyn E.
A Bright Start
Jocelyn’s journey through life has been deeply woven into the fabric of her small New England town. From attending community workshops in her youth to her current role as an art teacher, her dedication extends beyond the classroom, reflecting her desire to nurture creativity and inspire the next generation.
Jocelyn was settling into newly married life with her husband Kris when their world was shaken in the spring of 2021. Kris was diagnosed with stage I non-hodgkin’s lymphoma. Kris endured months of treatment and they drained their savings, even using the monetary gifts received at the time of their wedding to pay for Kris’ treatment. Yet, just one year later, Jocelyn’s life turned upside down when she was diagnosed with stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer in the spring of 2022 at just 29 years old.
My cancer diagnosis was a crushing blow. It felt like we were finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and then suddenly, we were plunged back into darkness.
Navigating Turbulence
As Jocelyn began her treatment, the physical and emotional toll was immense. The 15-round chemotherapy regimen drained her energy, while radiation brought its own set of grueling side effects. Each surgery posed new challenges, as well as new expenses, yet Jocelyn faced it all with unwavering determination. After treatment, Jocelyn entered a challenging period where she was no longer seeing doctors regularly but was still experiencing lingering side effects like brain fog and a weakened immune system. Being a young adult with cancer made her feel isolated as few people her age understood the complexities of medical expenses like deductibles, out-of-pocket costs, and copays. To make matters worse, during this time, the final medical bills began to arrive, further straining their already stretched finances.
It would surprise people to hear about the unexpected side effects of cancer treatment. I had a double hip replacement, and my husband lost all of his teeth. I also had to start therapy to deal with both my own trauma and the shared trauma I have with my husband as a result of our cancer experiences.
Financially, the burden was overwhelming. Their savings quickly evaporated and they found themselves relying on financial gifts and assistance to cover basic needs and mounting medical expenses. Jocelyn’s colleagues started meal trains, donated gift cards, and even organized a drive-by parade on her wedding anniversary. Their support extended to helping her apply for long-term disability and ensuring she didn’t miss health insurance payments. Still, the stress of living paycheck to paycheck, coupled with the weight of ongoing medical debt was nearly unbearable.
I discovered the SAMFund grant program at a time when we were at a financial tipping point, and I was at an all-time low. We were on the cusp of losing our apartment and our autonomy. I don’t know what we would have done without Expect Miracles and the SAMFund grant program.
Impact of EMF’s SAMFund Grant
Receiving financial assistance from EMF’s SAMFund was a lifeline for Jocelyn and Kris. It alleviated the overwhelming burden of medical debt, allowing them to stabilize financially and focus on essential monthly expenses, even offering the hope of visiting family—a much-needed respite after years of relentless struggle. As young cancer survivors navigating illness in their early marriage, Jocelyn and Kris’ relationship faced unexpected challenges, but they emerged stronger, motivated to share their story and raise awareness about vital support grants like EMF’s SAMFund.
Cancer is everywhere but there is still so much people don’t understand or know because it hasn’t touched their lives. The people who have gone through a personal journey with cancer have a responsibility to inform people and let them know as transparently as they can about what it is like so they can be prepared.
Jocelyn’s role as an educator now intertwines with her journey as a cancer survivor. Motivated by her experience, she strives to impart lessons of resilience and hope to others. Expect Miracles Foundation’s crucial financial relief through its SAMFund grant enables Jocelyn to pursue this passion, easing her transition into life post-treatment with a renewed sense of stability and fulfillment.
About EMF’s SAMFund Grant Program
Due to the high costs associated with treatment and survivorship, young adults experience financial toxicity at a greater level than any other age group. SAMFund grants help to alleviate the financial burden resulting from cancer treatment. Thank you to donors for supporting EMF’s SAMFund Grant Program. Because of your generosity, we are helping young adult cancer survivors build bridges to help them get where they were intended to go before cancer disrupted their lives.
What SAMFund Grant Recipients Say
Make Miracles
Join us in the fight against cancer and be part of the community that is making miracles happen today. Your donation is an investment in our Research and Discovery Funds, which invests in life-saving cancer research, and EMF’s SAMFund, which provides financial assistance for young adult cancer survivors.
Get Involved
Every dollar we raise brings us closer to a world free from the grip of cancer. But we can’t do it alone. Join us in this life saving journey. No matter who you are, where you come from, you have a place at Expect Miracles Foundation. Cancer knows no boundaries, and neither does our mission. Stand alongside us in the fight against cancer.
Make Miracles
Join us in the fight against cancer and be part of the community that is making miracles happen today. Your donation is an investment in our Innovation and Discovery Funds, which invests in life-saving cancer research, and EMF’s SAMFund, which provides financial assistance for young adult cancer survivors.
Invest in Hope
Corporate sponsors lead our life-saving mission and gain access to influential business networking opportunities at EMF events, which range from galas to golf tournaments and more. As a sponsor you can cultivate relationships in the financial services industry while having a life-changing impact on the cancer community.