Relay for Life Helps Tell Jessy’s Story

The University of Tampa’s Relay for Life event, being held this year on April 18, is one of the biggest annual events on campus. And while many of those participating have been touched by cancer in some way, Jessica Moran ’11 is fighting a daily battle.

Moran, who was active in the UT chapter of Delta Sigma Pi while at UT, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia on Feb. 21, 2014. She is being flown to campus to participate in Relay by Delta Sigma Pi, which raised more than $3,000 to help pay for Moran’s treatment, including donations through a Go Fund Me site, Jessy’s Story.

“Having these students going above and beyond for somebody they don’t know speaks volumes to the type of people in that organization,” said Moran of Boston. “It’s been really touching.”

Meredith Brown ’15, chair of the Jessy’s Story campaign, first heard of Moran’s story through Facebook. As the newly appointed vice president for alumni for Delta Sigma Pi, she spent the fall semester networking with recent alums. Brown sent Moran a card expressing the chapter’s support, but she wanted to do more.

The previous summer during her internship, Brown had hosted a large event for underserved children where she met a little girl being treated at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

“After that event was over, I was on a big high. I knew I needed to do it again,” Brown said.

So she collaborated with her Delta Sigma Pi friends and mentors, who suggested hosting an event in line with Relay for Life. They created a logo, the Go Fund Me site, a website and received 1,000 donated armbands the chapter has been selling on campus. They are flying her to Tampa this week, and she will be speaking during the luminaria ceremony, a point during Relay that honors those currently battling cancer and those who have lost their battle.

“She’s so young — that’s where it hit us the most,” said Brown, of the impact of Moran’s story on the UT community. “Just five years ago she was sitting here in our spots.”

Moran started treatment on her 25th birthday. Altogether her treatment plan will take two and a half years to complete, including several phases of chemotherapy.

“I’m technically in remission now, but leukemia can come back really easily,” she said. “That’s why the treatment is so long.”
This January, Moran was able to return to work for the first time in nearly 11 months.

“It’s good to be back to work. It’s good to have a purpose to get up each day and people to talk to,” said Moran. “Feeling normal is a privilege and an important part of life.”

One outlet that Moran has relied on to stay positive through her treatment is her blog, inspirationinitiative.com, which she has used to document her experience. It’s the same blog Brown used to connect with Moran and to learn about her story.

“There are days that have been really hard, but having such a good support system has made all the difference,” said Moran.

More than $72,500 has been raised by UT’s efforts this year for the American Cancer Society with 996 participants signed up for Saturday’s event. Help support or sign up for the race.