Meet Jette

Jette is an amazing 12 year old fighter with determination, wit and a warrior attitude. Jette was diagnosed on August 12, 2007 with Ewing's Sarcoma just days after his 7th birthday. After 14 months of chemotherapy, treatments and multiple surgeries that included removal of 3 ribs, Jette beat this disease and was in remission for four years. After his mother noticed an alarming change to his chest wall, he was diagnosed again with the same cancer on September 13, 2012. This time it has come back more aggressively with the mass covering such a large area in his chest that it causes major pressure to his organs and has endured a collapsed lung and has difficulty eating as well. Jette has gone through multiple rounds of chemotherapy again, multiple blood transfusions and is getting ready for a two-day surgery in mid January. During this surgery, he will need his whole left chest wall replaced and rebuilt including peck muscles, replacement ribs and lung removal. This young fighter just went through a prep surgery to prepare for the big surgery. His surgeon prepped the graft site and muscle on his lower abdomen so they can be moved around to shield his new titanium ribs. Jette's team at Banner Children's at Cardon Children's will be preparing him for this surgery and a recovery that will last several weeks. Jette has fought so hard and has been victorious once before against Ewing's Sarcoma. His strength and determination is evident in his spirit and comittment to prove another victory. Jette has been a huge inspiration to other fighter's as well. Along with this determination comes a fun and witty sense of humor. Throughout all that he has endured, he is still quick to crack up at a joke and has even been known to break out a little Gangnam style. Jette's family and he share this fun sense of humor, positive attitude and fighter spirit. Jette enjoys video games, zombies and super heroes. His favorite place is Disneyland/World and loves the beach as well. He just recently got to play video games on a 15 foot screen to close out chemotherapy week. Jette has been surrounded by support from organizations like HopeKids, The Jessie Rees foundation, Go 4 The Goal, Wayne Industries, Coyoties Charities, SanTan Football Leagues and many others. He has been able to meet Sparky from ASU, Mr. Nash #18 and Howler from the Coyotes and received a team signed hockey stick. Desert Mountain Elementary School in Queen Creek even held a Jette's Journey Fundraiser Fair for him. His sister's cheer gym AZ Fusion partnered up with Baci Italian Bistro to hold a dinner fundraiser as well. Jette's Journey is his facebook page to document his treatment and progress. With the love and support of his friends, family, community and medical staff, he will beat this and remain victorious.
Images by: Carbella Photography