From the NFL to NMDP: Meet Jennifer and Colton
From the NFL to NMDP: Meet Jennifer and Colton
Original published date: 10/18/2022
Blood cancer tried to sideline her cheerleading dreams, but a transplant helped her defeat it, and now she’s giving back.
Jennifer Lee had always been a dancer and athlete, so when she started getting winded and light-headed, she knew something was wrong. After several trips to urgent care and blood tests, she faced one of life’s fiercest competitors: cancer.
At just 24 years old, the aspiring NFL cheerleader was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Suddenly her dreams were sidelined as she searched for a matching donor to receive the blood stem cell transplant that could save her life.
Fortunately, a match was found in Hong Kong. Jennifer received her transplant, made it through recovery and then put in the grunt work to go after her goal: becoming a San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush cheerleader.
“My wife is a go-getter,” said Jennifer’s husband, Colton Kerrigan. “Whatever she puts her mind to, she does.”
Five years post-transplant, her hard work paid off: She tried out for, and made it onto, the San Francisco 49ers dance team. She spent three years cheering in the NFL before retiring.
During her transplant journey, Jennifer received an NMDP grant to help cover groceries and basic living expenses. She and Colton vowed they would pay it forward—and then some. The couple is now part of our monthly giving community.
“For the rest of our lives, NMDP will be part of our giving strategy,” Colton said. “We want others to have the same opportunities as Jennifer had.”
Monthly giving provides a steady, reliable stream of support for mission-critical programs like patient assistance, allowing us to support patients when they need it most—especially during slower giving months.
For the rest of our lives, NMDP will be part of our giving strategy. We want others to have the same opportunities as Jennifer had.”
-Colton
Jennifer’s husband
Finding what matters most
Colton said Jennifer’s leukemia diagnosis was the best and worst thing that happened to them. “It really reframed our mindset and prioritized what really matters in life,” he said.
As Jennifer went through transplant and recovery, Colton put on a brave face and reassured her that they’d get through it. But he realized there was another person he needed to be cheering for: himself.
“It can take its toll on caregivers,” he said. “Make sure to take care of yourself. Caregivers need their own cheerleader, too.”
Going for gold
Jennifer wasn’t about to let leukemia stop her from achieving her dream of becoming a San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush cheerleader. “That really kept her going—her desire to try out,” he said.
Jennifer had a steep hill to climb, as the cancer and transplant journey had stripped away much of her muscle mass and flexibility. But she put in the grueling hours of practice in the dance studio. Four years after transplant she tried out for the 49ers Gold Rush cheerleading team but didn’t make it. The following year, she auditioned again—and this time, her dream came true.
Jennifer cheered for the 49ers for three years before retiring. These days she’s putting her big brain to good use as a self-taught coding engineer.
Cheering for patients
Jennifer used her cheerleading platform to help raise awareness of the need for blood stem cell donors on the registry, so more patients could find a suitable match and receive the life-saving transplant they need.
She and Colton also decided to become monthly supporters, hoping their recurring gifts help lift some of the financial burden of transplant for patients. NMDP grants, like the one Jennifer received, are largely funded by our community of supporters. These grants help cover the many expenses related to transplant that are not covered by insurance—like travel, temporary housing, prescription costs and so much more.
“If we can influence even just one person to sign up for the registry, donate or get involved, then we’ll know we’ve made a difference,” said Colton.
You can be one of our most reliable supporters like Jennifer and Colton. Even small gifts deducted monthly make a big impact on our patients. Monthly gifts are deducted automatically, so you can save lives all year long without even thinking about it.
