A Chatham woman whose battle with leukemia touched the lives of hundreds in her community has passed away at the age of 23.
Jocelyn McGlynn succumbed to acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AMML) on Saturday at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, after battling the illness for almost two years.
McGlynn began her first treatment at Victoria Hospital in London in 2018 before undergoing her first stem cell transplant in February 2019 in the state of New York. She was able to enjoy seven months of improved health before relapsing the following September. McGlynn underwent another transplant at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) in December of 2019 which allowed her another five months of improved health.
However, she again relapsed in May of 2020 and returned to Toronto for treatment. Sadly, during a second round of treatment, McGlynn was beset by complications that resulted in unexpected surgeries and treatments.
"Joc spent 46 days at PMH but continued to shine and show her incredible strength and will," McGlynn's family said in her obituary. "It was only on her last day that our Rocky accepted her [AMML] was indestructible. Joc joined our Heavenly Father with the incredible grace and strength that she exuded every day of her life."
McGlynn is being remembered as a kind, intelligent, athletic, creative, and disciplined woman who excelled at music, theatre, painting, drawing, baking and cooking. Her unwavering strength and determination throughout her battle inspired many.
After being diagnosed with AMML in November 2018, McGlynn's family and friends hosted several blood donor clinics and swab events throughout southwestern Ontario. While the goal was to find a stem cell match for McGlynn but to also help others fighting similar battles.
According to McGlynn's family, over 2,000 people joined the stem cell registry in the first six months that she battled the illness. A number of donors who registered in hopes of matching McGlynn ended up being matches for others in need.
During McGlynn's battle with AMML, she received an outpouring of support from those in her hometown of Chatham-Kent. However, the support didn't stop there. As a student at Western University in her fourth year of medical studies, McGlynn was greeted by support from hundreds of students from her school, along with those from the University of Guelph, Wilfrid Laurier University, York University, and Brock University.
A visitation for Jocelyn McGlynn will take place on Wednesday and Thursday at Alexander & Houle Funeral Home in Chatham. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, visitation times must be scheduled in advance by calling the funeral home at (519) 352-2710.
The funeral mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church in Chatham on Friday at 11 a.m. The funeral will be live-streamed from the church with a link provided beforehand. A private family interment will then be held at St. Anthony’s Cemetery.
-With files from Natalia Vega