Jessica’s Story

Jessica Wright started her medical journey with London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) when she contracted meningitis at just over three months old. On her fifth birthday, she underwent brain surgery to treat a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid. When she was seven years old, the seizures started. At 10 years old, she received radiation to treat a brain tumour.

Years later, Jessica knew something was wrong when she became nauseous at the smell of popcorn. She was diagnosed with clear cell odontogenic carcinoma (CCOC) in her jaw and the cancer eventually spread to her thyroid. After having her thyroid removed along with 32 lymph nodes, doctors thought she was out of the woods. However, a follow-up appointment found a concerning shadow on her lungs. While everyone hoped it was merely scar tissue, the biopsy revealed something truly unprecedented—an extremely rare case of CCOC found in the lungs.

Due to Jessica’s complicated situation, she was given only one option: experimental radiation treatment at the Gerald C. Baines Centre for Translational Cancer Research (Baines Centre). The Baines Centre enables clinicians and researchers to generate novel approaches to cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. There she met Dr. Pencilla Lang, a Radiation Oncologist who would help tailor the radiation plan to Jessica’s unique case.

“There are no trials or research projects anywhere else in the world for this specific cancer,” Jessica says. “If it wasn’t for the Baines Centre at LHSC, I would not be here today.”

Last October, Jessica became the first patient to receive radiation for CCOC in the lungs and her treatment was a resounding success. The nodules shrunk significantly, paving the way for future patients to receive radiation for this type of cancer.

“Donor funding is extremely important because I could not have received the experimental radiation without it,” Jessica exclaims.

With less time now spent in the hospital, Jessica enjoys exploring her passion for photography and makes sure to cherish every moment she can with her nieces. She is also dedicated to helping other people with similar experiences by running a support group for adult survivors of childhood cancer.