Community Corner

In Memory of Daughter, Family Continues Fight Against Cancer

Jen Juanes, daughter of a Mountain View employee Patty Juanes, died of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2010 and is being honored this year.

Editor's note: This post is the result of user-generated content. Mountain View Patch encourages readers to send articles, photos and video clips of anything newsworthy, quirky, beautiful, funny or dramatic when you're out and about in the city, at home or anywhere. Julianne Dunn and Patty Juanes contributed this post.

The Juanes Family is convinced there will be a cure for blood cancers and they are determined to be a part of finding it.

Last May 2010, the Juanes Family lost their 24-year-old daughter, Jennifer Leigh, to Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Diagnosed at 20, Jen underwent several rounds of chemotherapy, radiation and a stem cell transplant which involved an exhaustive search to find a marrow match.

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Patty Juanes, Jen’s mother, has worked for the for 14 years. She feels that the City of Mountain View has helped her throughout Jen’s struggle and has continued since her passing.

"We couldn’t have done it without the support of this city. The police, the city workers and the firemen held countless bone marrow drives to find a match for Jen during her treatment," she said. "Since she has passed, they have continued to support us by donating to our team, attending events and providing items to raffle or auction. Everyone has just been so generous."

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When Jen passed, the service was held at in Mountain View, where her grandmother Rosalie often volunteers. A city accompanied the procession.

"Jen wished that no one had to go through the same ordeal she did especially children," said Rosalie. "We continue to fight in her name by fundraising for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night. Our team, 'Our Girl Jen,' walks in her memory."

Light The Night is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's annual fundraising walk and the nation's night to pay tribute and bring hope to people battling cancer. Walkers carry lighted balloons—white for survivors, red for supporters and gold balloons in memory of loved ones lost.

This year, Jen is the society's 2011 San Jose Memorial Honoree. Her story has been shared at recruitment, fundraising events and on the website.

Here are the upcoming Light The Night Walks in the area:

  • October 1 – San Mateo, Central Park
  • October 15 – Palo Alto, Palo Alto High School
  • October 22 – San Jose, Arena Green, next to HP Pavilion


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