Jessa’s Quest, a non‐profit 501c3, was founded to raise funds that support organizations caring for children with life‐threatening illnesses and to providing support for the families.
Our Purpose
Our purpose honors Jessica Webber and her courageous 7‐year quest to find a cure for brain cancer. Jessa’s Quest started in her freshman year at Kenmore West High School when she was diagnosed with an Ependymoma* tumor. During her 7‐year battle with this illness, she underwent five brain surgeries, several chemo and radiation treatments, multiple Gama Knife surgeries, and other types of experimental treatments at both Women and Children’s Hospital and Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Throughout the whole ordeal, using sheer determination and willpower, Jessa fought to maintain a normal teenage life. She became a full‐time student at Fredonia University, a member of Sigma Kappa sorority, and a volunteer for Carly’s Club, which supports kids and cancer research at Roswell Park. Her treatments continued with little or no success, and due to her illness, Jessa was forced to leave Fredonia in her junior year. Sadly, she lost her battle in January of 2010. Throughout her entire illness, Jessa demonstrated courage and compassion for others. She hoped for a cure for herself, but was always most hopeful that someone would find a cure that helped everyone with this illness.
Jessa’s family and friends are honoring this very special young woman by continuing her quest through the donation of proceeds from events to organizations that support the quest . To date, Jessa’s Quest has donated several thousand dollars to the Neo Oncology Department of The Oishei Children’s Hospital “formerly Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo” , Wings Flights of Hope, and the Steadfast Foundation to name a few.
* Ependymoma tumors are malignant cancer growths in the brain and spinal cord. People of all ages, including children, are susceptible to ependymoma. The National Cancer Institute states that around 1 in 11 brain tumors in children are ependymoma.