Jackie, never let go of hope

Jackie Dino was a joyful person, quick to smile, grounded in faith, and devoted to her family. Even in her hardest moments, she never let go of hope.

In 2013, while living in Southern California, Jackie began experiencing abdominal pain and scheduled a check-up. Her physician ordered an ultrasound followed by an MRI. The scans revealed what appeared to be a large tumor in her uterus, and surgery was scheduled just two weeks later. It was only after the operation, when a tumor roughly the size of a chicken was removed, that Jackie received the diagnosis: leiomyosarcoma.

After surgery, Jackie endured eight rounds of chemotherapy. Not long afterward, she and her loving husband of many years, Greg, chose to retire and begin a new chapter in Oregon. Jackie had periods where she was NED, and for a time, life carried a welcome sense of normalcy.

In 2019, the cancer returned. Jackie faced additional surgeries and more chemotherapy. Along the way, she bravely decided she did not want to continue chemo and began asking about other options. She was referred to Seattle for radiation treatment, where she and Greg stayed for three weeks in patient housing at the former Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. When treatment ended, they celebrated by taking an Alaska cruise, cherishing the time together and the memories they were able to make.

In early August of 2024, after returning home from the cruise, Jackie received the heartbreaking news that she might have only six months to live. Yet even then, she refused to let sarcoma dictate her plans. Their 39th wedding anniversary on September 9 was approaching, and before that was the North Cascades Porsche Club of America car show—an event Jackie and Greg helped make special each year. They were also dreaming about a trip to Hawaii. Jackie was determined to keep living.

During the car show, Jackie became increasingly ill and was taken to the hospital. Greg stayed nearby with friends from their church so he could remain close to her. As he left the hospital one evening, Jackie said what she always said: “I love you.”

The following day, Jackie was placed on a ventilator and was no longer able to speak. Five days before they would have celebrated 39 years of marriage, Jackie passed away, holding tight to her faith and her love for her family until the very end.

Greg believes Jackie would want every patient facing sarcoma to remember her simple but powerful advice: be strong, and keep your faith.