Jessica Hunter inspires in the face of adversity

With Christmas around the corner, Foundation of Light would like to share the incredible success story of one of our participants, Jessica Hunter.

Twelve-year-old Jessica, of Red House, first came to the Beacon of Light as an avid netball player. However, treatment for severe illness resulted in Jessica losing the use of her legs.

The youngster, of Castle View Enterprise Academy, Sunderland, received her treatment during a period when Covid-19 was recording its highest peaks for infection for a blood cancer called Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

In and out of hospital over a long period of time, where Jessica spent three weeks in intensive care as well a long four-month hospital stay, she was unable to attend school or visit her friends’ houses due to the risk of infection, affecting her confidence causing her to feel socially isolated.

While on the road to recovery, Jessica returned to the Beacon in August 2022, albeit it in the kitchen. Jessica would discover a new-found passion on the Foundation’s summer holiday baking courses and continued to thrive in the Family Learning healthy cooking sessions.

Taking part in the sessions allowed Jessica to start socialising with people her own age again which helped to build back her confidence. Initially the secondary school student kept to herself during workshops, however, after a few weeks, she learned that she had a lot in common with other participants. Jessica went from strength-to-strength, opening up more and telling jokes.

There were still challenges along the way. While Jessica’s mother, Joanne, could see the positive impact the sessions had on her daughter, increased concerns about the spread of Covid-19 and other illnesses within the well-attended courses caused her to worry about Jessica’s participation.

Foundation staff were determined not to let Jessica’s talents go to waste and took immediate action in presenting her with a separate workspace, reducing her risk of infection while still keeping her involved in sessions.

Jessica rang the bell to mark the end of her cancer treatment at the end of October, which she celebrated with an end of treatment party and a trip to Disneyland. Her road to recovery continues, while still wheelchair-bound, she is now learning to walk again.

Jessica continues to regularly attend the Foundation’s Baking and Slime holiday courses and was recognised for her remarkable progress with the Overcoming Adversity Award at the Foundation of Light’s Gala Awards Dinner.

Hear about Jessica’s journey: