Jessica's Journey Brain Tumor Survivor Fund

My name is Jessica Blankenship, and I am a pediatric brain tumor survivor. Shortly after birth, I was diagnosed with a rare ganglioglioma tumor and temporal lobe epilepsy. To survive, my only option was a grueling, near 11-hour brain surgery at just four years old. Pediatric brain tumors are among the deadliest forms of childhood cancer, affecting more than 40,000 children each year. Today, I am proud to be 25+ years tumor-free, but my battle didn't end in the operating room. I still navigate long-term challenges, including short-term memory loss, verbal-memory impairment, and mental health struggles. Yet, I refused to let these obstacles define my future. I graduated from high school on time, earned an Associate of Arts degree with Phi Theta Kappa and Psi Beta honors, and completed my Bachelor’s in Psychology with Psi Chi honors. Today, I am a graduate student at Louisiana State University Shreveport with a 4.0 GPA, working toward a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Adult Education. Upon graduating in 2027, I plan to enter higher education as an instructor, advisor, and lifelong advocate to help find a cure for pediatric brain tumors. I strongly value my education and have learned that I will never stop learning, because life never stops teaching. I know firsthand the immense hardships that families face during this battle. Through this scholarship fund, I want to alleviate the financial burdens for other survivors fighting to pursue their college dreams. Thank you so much for your generous support to help make this possible!