Jillian's Experience

Meet our first 2025 Hardship Hero: Jillian

Over the past several years, Jillian and her family have endured an unimaginable series of medical challenges and heartbreaking losses. In January 2017, Jillian and her partner lost their 3 month old daughter to complications from a congenital heart defect. After months of uncertainty, a time that should be exciting and joyful, this sweet baby never made it out of the hospital. Her entire life spent surrounded by tubes, machines and doctors. But, one thing is certain, she was surrounded by love.

In February 2022, tragedy struck again when her partner, the father of her sweet baby, passed away suddenly, leaving Jillian and her children devastated and financially overwhelmed. Just two months later, Jillian's father was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Shortly after in October 2022, he passed away, on the same day that Jillian’s late daughter would have turned six. Grief compounded grief when not long after her own father passed, her mother in law also passed away.

Despite this relentless storm of loss, Jillian has continued to show up, for her children, for her family, and for herself. Through sorrow and struggle, she’s found strength, resilience, and a will to keep moving forward.

We are honored to gift Jillian a Jim Thorpe Getaway Experience!! A weekend designed to bring peace, connection, and a little magic to her healing journey.

She and her oldest daughter, along with a few friends, will enjoy:

•  A cozy slumber party at the Wireworks Loft filled with all the slumber party essentials: pizza, snacks, drinks, and pampering facials and lash lifts by Vanity Beauty Group

•  A day of shopping in downtown Jim Thorpe, complete with spending money and all the charm the town has to offer

•  A soul soothing Sound Bath Meditation donated by Zen with Zegley

•  A donated private medium session with the incredible Matthew Kamont – The Lehigh Valley Medium

•  And a perfect Sunday spent at our local oasis, Paradise at the Pool in Lehighton

To everyone who has supported Hardship Heroes, this is the difference you’re making. Your generosity is no longer just a donation, it’s an EXPERIENCE, a moment of peace, and a reminder that even after unimaginable loss, joy is still possible!

Experience Gifted May 2025