The message just received was:
Hvala na molitvama. Jasminka je nocas umrla. Inga
The translation of this message is:
Thank you for your prayers. Jasminka has died tonight. Inga
Jacekica was in her 5th year post-DX (signet-ring-cell carcinoma). One of her special heroes on this Forum was Lauren, who had bravely traveled this same difficult journey only a few months earlier.
Many thanks to Skypup for posting the link to candlelight vigil for jacekica. It was perfect. Over three dozen members, from four different continents, contributed candles this week. Many thanks to all of you who contributed. I have made note of all the names, initials, locations and messages posted with all the candles -- even the anonymous ones. I will later forward this information on to Jacekica's cousin (Inga) and to the family so that they will know without a shadow of a doubt that Jacekica was not alone in her final hours on this planet.
Thanks also to Phuong for setting up the recent Christmas Card Shower - Year 3 for Jacekica last December. By now the flowers that had been sent have faded, but all of the cards and letters are still there with Inga as a witness to Jacekica's quiet but important contribution to this Forum.
Jacekica had a Master of Science (M.Sci.) degree in biology from the University of Zagreb and worked in a lab at the Sisters of Mercy Hospital in Zagreb -- the very same hospital where she eventually received her cancer treatment. Her last two co-authored articles were on K-RAS mutations in pancreatic cancer. Before that she had worked on Interleukin and pancreatic cancer, and 15 years ago or so she was doing research on the role of exercise on ascites in liver patients.
This week the world lost one of its cancer scientists. It also lost one of the kindest, gentlest persons you could ever imagine. Her real name was Jasminka. She will not be forgotten.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, March 30 at 14.30 hours at Krematorij na Mirogoju, Zagreb. This will be followed by celebration of Holy Mass at 18.30 hours at St. Ivana Parish Church.
Further information is contained in the announcement that appeared this morning.
