Glen Rock Mom, 39, Fights Stage 4 Lung Cancer

GLEN ROCK, NJ — Jennifer Cosgrove did nothing to cause the cancer she has. She got it through genetics. And she's fighting it with everything she has.

Cosgrove, a 39-year-old mother of three, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer June 22. She has never smoked, but got lung cancer due to a type of mutation in the anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene, a type of mutation that is common among younger nonsmokers.

"I was working out six days a week. I was never sick. I didn't even have a primary care physician," Cosgrove said. "It started with a cough, which turned into fevers and I ended up with two big blood clots in my neck because it moved into my lymphatic system."

Cancer took a toll on her. She was tired and weak. She could not get off her couch. Then she started taking a new medicine that keeps her cancer suppressed and keeps the gene that causes it from being triggered.

"Four days after starting on the medicine I got up off my couch," Cosgrove said. "Now, I'm able to take my kids everywhere and help them with their homework. It's amazing"

But the drug is only effective for so long before the cancer progresses and mutates. Long-term survival is dependent on advances in medical research to develop new treatments.

"Because cancer mutates, it's not a question of if I progress, but when," Cosgrove said, who said she will be on treatment her whole life.

A special fundraiser to help support her and others with lung cancer is Saturday at the Glen Rock Athletic Club.

Cosgrove is doing her part to help others. She is a member of the patient-driven group Life and Breath Rally and met with Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5th) to ask him to co-sponsor the Women and Lung Cancer Research Act. She is also active in her support group for ALK lung cancer patients and volunteers at her kids' schools.

She also volunteers with the ALK Positive Outreach Team to encourage others with the gene mutation to tell their stories.

Her goal is to live 16 years and see her youngest child graduate from college.

"The average life span for someone with stage four lung cancer is five years," Cosgrove said. "I have decided to take action, rather than wallow after being diagnosed with an incurable illness. Sitting around feeling sorry for myself isn't going to help and by taking action and getting involved I am doing all I can to ensure I am around to see my young children grow."

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Photo: Jennifer Cosgrove with her husband and three children. (Courtesy of Jennifer Cosgrove)