Jenn Lyon became well known as the woman who placed fourth on the 2005 season of the reality series “Survivor.” She was an attractive woman who had to rely on her survival skills including her wittiness and ability to connect well with others. She managed to make it for 37 out of the 39 days. If numerology has anything to do with it, she died at age 37 from breast cancer. She made an impression on the people that she became acquainted with.
Here are five things that you didn’t know about Jenn Lyon.
She taught people how to live
After her diagnosis of stage III breast cancer, Jenn realized that she didn’t have a lot of time left. Instead of giving up on life, she lived each day as well as possible. At a reunion of “Survivor 10,” she told Ian Rosenberger, fellow contestant, that it is important to “appreciate every day.” She faced her situation with the ultimate in grace and bravery. She fought up until the Tuesay in April of 2016 that the disease claimed her life.
Fellow contestants gave her moral support
After Jenn began chemotherapy treatments that would make her hair fall out, she was visited by a friend fro the show. Archa madde the trip to her home to shave her head. In a gesture of support and solidarity, he also shaved his head. Jenn’s family was gathered around to watch as Archa had Jenn shave his head first, then he shaved hers.
Jenn delayed medical help for financial reasons
She just happened to be one of the many Americans who did not have health insurance coverage. Testing on a lump is very expensive when you have to pay the entire cost on your own. This is a tragedy that many people still face. Early detection of the condition could have meant the difference between life and death. In her case, she let it go until she detected a second lump, this time under the armpit. She wasn’t too concerned about the first one because it was near an implant. She figured that it was likely just scar tissue, but she was mistaken.
Jenn used her notoriety to help others
Even though Lyon was sick because of the treatments, she used the recognition she gained to raise money. She opened a Christmas tree lot and donated the proceeds to the Susan Love Cancer Research Foundation. She worked in the lot daily until the season was over. She didn’t give up regardless how poorly she felt.
Jenn showed the world how to live
In her final months of life, Jenn determined that she was going to do what she cold to help other people. It didn’t matter how she felt physically. She wasn’t the type to go down without a fight. She lived every day to the fullest and did everything that she was physically able to do. She spent a lot of time talking with her close friend Jeff Probst (fellow contestant). She spoke about her fears and about living and dying. She passed the wisdom that she gained through the dying process to him so he could share it with others.
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