On July 6, Jessica turned nine years old.

About eight and a half years ago, she was diagnosed with a rare and deadly disease, Niemann-Pick Type C. It is a genetic condition that affects every cell in the body. So much is unknown about this disease. All our family knows for sure is that we must do something to help our Jessica.

Recently, Jessica started suffering seizures. It is likely the onset of seizures is related to NP-C. Jessica was hospitalized four times in 2005.  With a concoction of medications, and a lot of love and prayers, the seizures have diminished. She was to start the second grade in the fall but the seizures have prevented her from returning. She has lost the ability to walk and talk. In her last hospitalization, just before Christmas, Jessica had a Gastro-Tube inserted. It enables her to get the nutrition and medications she needs. She was down to 36 pounds at the beginning of her hospital stay in early December. By late January, Jessie’s weight was up to 48 pounds. With the weight gain, and Physical and Occupational Therapy, she has gotten stronger. She still has a long way to go. We have re-started the Homeopathic regimen that we believe has helped her. So many people have assured us that Jessica is in their prayers. We know they are helping.

No one can tell how this disease will progress. We must help the research foundations find a cure.

Niemann Pick Type C leaves children developmentally disabled. The symptoms lead to all kinds of challenges, including robbing its victims of the ability to walk, to talk and to swallow. Many children need to be fed through a stomach tube, just to receive the nourishment, fluids and medications they need. Wheelchairs, special education and full time aides are often times necessary for day to day life. Our efforts support medical research and family services to seek a cure and offer support to NP-C families. Your support for the Fight for Jessica will offer hope to those devastated by the ravages of the disease.

Our mailing address:
The Jessica Leoni Trust
Fight for Jessica
P.O. Box 83744
Los Angeles, CA 90083-0744

Please find it in your heart to join the Fight for Jessica. We need help in many ways. Please visit the other pages of our website to learn more about our Fight and of all the various ways you can participate.

Contributions will be gratefully accepted to the Jessica Leoni Trust made out to the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation and/or the Jim Lambright Medical Research Foundation. Both Foundations are non-profit corporations that fund research projects to find a cure for Niemann-Pick Type C Disease. Your donation is tax deductible. You may send your contribution to:

Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation
c/o the Jessica Leoni Trust
P.O. Box 83744
Los Angeles, CA 90083-0744

We will forward your donation. You may telephone us at (310) 649-6125.