Hi, my name is Mike King, and I’m writing this with a heavy heart, but also with hope.
On the day after Memorial Day, our world turned upside down. My fiancée, Jacklyn (Jackie) Lee, was rushed to the hospital. She hadn’t been feeling well, but none of us could have imagined what was coming.
Within hours, doctors at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island told us she had Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)—a fast-moving cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Even more terrifying, her body had no white blood cells to fight infection. She was admitted immediately and hasn’t left since. She will remain at the hospital 24/7 for at least the next six weeks and is now undergoing aggressive chemotherapy. Visitors aren’t even able to send her flowers or hug her because her immune system is so susceptible right now.
Jackie is only 39 years old. She’s a first-grade teacher at Evergreen Charter School, where she’s known as “Miss Lee”—the bright light in the room, the one who sees every child, meets them where they are, and lifts them up. That’s just who she is. She’s also the devoted mom of Evelyn (11) and Max (7), a loving stepmom to Mia (12), and the full-time caregiver for her 87-year-old grandmother. At home, she’s also mom to our beloved little pup, Cookie – a 14-year-old Chorkie who hasn’t left the front door since Jacklyn left for the hospital.
She is the emotional glue of our family. She shows up for everyone, every single day. And now, we need to show up for her.
Even in the hospital bed, her first concern has been how we’ll manage everything—from keeping the kids calm and steady, to how we’ll afford the medical bills. Our insurance (Cigna) only covers 80% of her care. That remaining 20% – plus the costs of medications, transportation, and extended treatments – will leave us with more than $30,000 in out-of-pocket expenses. For a teacher, a mom, and a caregiver who already juggles so much, it’s an overwhelming burden she shouldn’t have to bear.
This fundraiser is our way of saying “We’ve got you, Jackie.”
If you know Jackie, you know she is the first to help anyone in need. She never asks for anything in return – just seeing others thrive and do well is enough for her. Now, we are asking for her. We want to lift this weight off her shoulders so she can focus on healing. Every dollar brings us one step closer to giving her peace of mind and a fighting chance to return to the life she loves: the classroom, her kids, her family, and her little dog, Cookie.
Jackie is pure light. She is a quiet strength when times are tough, and a soul that leads with love. Even in this dark moment, she has not lost her hope. And we won’t let her lose it.
Thank you for reading, for sharing, and for standing with us in this fight. Your kindness means more than you know.
Let’s help Jackie write her comeback story.
With love and gratitude, Mike