DENVER (KDVR) — Denver breast cancer patient and survivor Jackie Reynolds was diagnosed at the age of 34, and it came with a fear she had never experienced before.
“That kind of fear that sticks in that like is different than other types of fear,” Reynolds said. “So, I got that checked out and I actually had aggressive breast cancer.”
The tumor was already large, and growing at an alarming rate.
“Throughout the entire process I could actually feel it growing with my hand,” she said. “I thought that if I waited one more day for chemotherapy, like from Friday to Monday, I think it would’ve been terminal.”
Reynolds called the process her “blind rollercoaster.” She said she was thrown into it and knew she couldn’t get off, but she learned a lot about herself during that time.
“When you are going through chaos, you can find strength,” Reynolds said.
As she documented her journey on social media, she hoped to show others they could find that strength as well. But, it went further than that.
Reynolds has been designing surface pattern designs and jewelry for years professionally, and in her time at AdventHealth Porter in Denver, she explored ways to use her talent to give back.
“I am someone that dresses up every day. Like when I go outside I am dolled up. Fake eyelashes, when I didn’t have hair, I had a wig,” Reynolds said. “I would come in here and they had these gowns … and I had my jewelry on and I know I’m going to get examined but like, this is who I am and this cancer is not going to define me. So I saw these outfits and I was like I could do a way better job.”
One belt opened a world of design
She recalled walking around the hospital with the back of her gown open, so she brought a belt with her to secure it so she wouldn’t be as exposed when moving from room to room.
“So, I had a belt and like, I thought then, ‘I want to design curtains,'” Reynolds said. “I was like, you guys … I really want to design these curtains in here. They need an upgrade. I want to design so many things and being philanthropic is super big to me because I give back with kindness to anyone and everyone.”
She has already designed several logos and several patterns to match the color scheme at AdventHealth Porter. Now, she hopes to collaborate with cancer and healthcare organizations to produce products like patient gowns, curtains and socks. Other things she wants to produce include more common items like tote bags, pillows, leggings and blankets.
She said her dream is to use her designs to give back to breast cancer research and to help other breast cancer patients and survivors.
She also hopes the designs will spread awareness and by sharing her story of survival, she will inspire others who are currently battling breast cancer and encourage women to keep up on self-breast exams and routine mammograms.
“It’s so important. It’s your life. It’s your loved ones’ happiness,” Reynolds said. “Like it’s something that’s not just you.”
