How Luke Bryan fans may help save the life of NJ fan battling cancer
Deborah M. Marko
MILLVILLE – The Luke Bryan fan, featured in a viral video getting a hug from the country superstar, is recruiting social media for help with her cancer battle.
With so many people "sharing" the hug, Jen Reeves of Millville said she hopes they will lead her to a cure.
The Cumberland County teacher hopes her appeal will reach "somebody, somewhere" familiar with her rare cancer. That might lead to a medication or a clinical trial that will help win her battle with synchronous multifocal osteosarcoma.
A day before starting a six-day in-patient chemotherapy, Reeves was at the BB&T Pavilion on Sunday for the concert she said she couldn't miss.
Her borrowed "Fighting Cancer & Loving Luke" sign caught Bryan's attention and spurred the now popular video.
Mid-concert, Bryan hopped off stage and waved Reeves to the front of the pit area. He gave her a hug, kissed her cheek, and encouraged her to "keep fighting".
And she is.
"All this crazy sharing of what happened with Luke Bryan, I'm going to ask you guys to share this just as much because that may be the only hope that I have," Reeves said Tuesday in an emotional 11-minute Facebook post.
"I'm definitely not ready to die, not ready to give up this fight just yet," Reeves said.
Her life took a heartbreaking turn after the heartwarming moment.
As she was admitted into Thomas Jefferson University Hospital on Monday, Reeves' Facebook page filled with messages celebrating her Bryan encounter.
But Reeves' recent chest pains prompted doctors to order additional tests and scans.
On Tuesday, the doctor pulled a chair up to Reeves' bedside to share the results.
"She said the chemo is not working, it's not helping," Reeves said. "The cancer has spread to my lungs, my liver, and my spleen, which as you can imagine is not good."
Discharged from the hospital, Reeves headed to home to her three sons. She faced trying "to prepare them as best as I can for the worst possible scenario."
"How do you prepare your 7-year-old for that," she said, referring to her youngest. His older brothers are 12 and 16 years old.
Next week, Reeves, 42, plans to start an outpatient once-a-week chemo treatment and will "hope like hell that it does something."
"We are going to hope for a miracle," Reeves said.
"There are good people, there are loving people, friends, strangers, and the outpouring of support I receive on a daily basis is just more than I could ever even ask for," she said.
Reeves requested two things on her behalf.
Share her Facebook post and say some prayers.
For others, Reeves asked for donations of blood and platelets.
"There is a shortage, and people need them," she said.
Deborah M. Marko covers breaking news, public safety, and education for The Daily Journal, Courier-Post and Burlington County Times. Got a story idea? Call 856-563-5256 or email dmarko@gannettnj.com. Follow on Twitter: @dmarko_dj Instagram: deb.marko.dj Help support local journalism with a subscription.