About Jessie - Jessie's Illness

Jessie's illness was Hodgkin's Disease, a form of malignant cancer that starts in the lymphatic system. It is rare in children - only 10 to 15 percent of cases occur in children under the age of 16, and more males than females will be affected. The American Cancer Society predicts that about 7400 cases will be diagnosed in 2000. Standard treatment options are chemo and radiation therapies. Though better treatment is improving survival rates, 28% of those treated still succumb to the disease within 10 years.

The lymphatic system is part of the body's blood-forming and immune system, and lymph nodes can be found in various parts of the body. Lymphatic fluid flows through vessels to every body part, and finally empties into the bloodstream. Hodgkin's Disease can spread cancerous cells to other body tissue and organs.

• An Essay by Jessie's Mom