Giving Back
In February of 2024, during her senior year at Mizzou, Jenna’s world was shaken when her mom, Lisa Laird, was diagnosed with Stage 1 Invasive Lobular Carcinoma—breast cancer. Being 1,000 miles from home made the news even harder to process, but her mom, in true form, waited until Jenna’s final college season ended before beginning treatment. With incredible strength and resilience, she faced the disease head-on and ultimately beat it. But Jenna's journey with breast cancer didn’t start there. She grew up watching her best friend’s mom, Lisa Doheny—who became like a second mother to her—bravely battle and overcome the same illness. And in another deeply personal chapter, Jenna's cousin and godmother also faced a breast cancer diagnosis and triumphed over it with strength and courage. These deeply personal experiences have left a lasting impact on Jenna's heart.​
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​That same spirit of compassion and giving runs deep in Jennas roots. She comes from a large, tight-knit family where bonds run deep and support is unwavering. Growing up surrounded by cousins, aunts, uncles, and siblings, family gatherings were always full of laughter, stories, and love. However, amidst the joy, Jenna's family has faced heartbreaking challenges—three of her younger cousins have been diagnosed with extremely rare and devastating childhood diseases. Two of her younger cousins (Nathan and Bennett Falcone) were born with Progeria Syndrome, a condition that causes rapid aging in children, and they are still fighting to find a cure for. And one of Jenna’s really close family friends (Joseph DeToma) was diagnosed with DIPG, also known as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, an aggressive and inoperable brain tumor at the young age of 16 and unfortunately lost his battle in November of 2021 at the age of 18.
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Because of seeing how these diagnoses have deeply impacted Jenna and her family, strengthening their closeness even more and knowing how truly blessed and grateful she is to be able to live the life she does with wonderful opportunities like playing Division I softball in the SEC and playing professionally with the New York Rise. In honor of her family, and in support of others facing similar battles, Jenna will be donating 5% of all merchandise sales to each of the foundations supporting Breast Cancer research, Progeria, and DIPG at the end of every calendar year. She hopes her platform can not only raise awareness, but also inspire others to make a difference. If you feel moved to support these important causes, Jenna would love to give you the opportunity to donate as well—because every contribution, big or small, brings us one step closer to hope, healing, and a cure.​​
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a disease where cells in the breast grow abnormally and form a tumor. It can occur in both women and men, though it's far more common in women. Some breast cancers grow slowly, while others are aggressive and spread quickly. Early signs may include a lump in the breast, changes in breast shape, or skin dimpling. Regular screenings like mammograms can help detect it early, when treatment is most effective. With advances in research and treatment, survival rates have improved, but breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers worldwide.
For more information about this illness and/or if you would like to donate, click here:
Progeria
Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome is a genetic condition characterized by the dramatic, rapid appearance of aging beginning in childhood. Affected children typically look normal at birth and in early infancy, but then grow more slowly than other children and do not gain weight at the expected rate (failure to thrive). They develop a characteristic facial appearance including prominent eyes, a thin nose with a beaked tip, thin lips, a small chin, and protruding ears. Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome also causes hair loss (alopecia), aged-looking skin, joint abnormalities, and a loss of fat under the skin (subcutaneous fat). This condition does not affect intellectual development or the development of motor skills such as sitting, standing, and walking.
For more information about this illness and/or if you would like to donate, click here:
DIPG
Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is a rare and aggressive brain tumor that primarily affects children, typically between the ages of 5 and 10. It forms in the pons, a critical area of the brainstem that controls essential functions like breathing, heart rate, and movement. Because of its location and the way it spreads, DIPG is inoperable and extremely difficult to treat. Symptoms often appear suddenly and may include facial weakness, difficulty walking, and problems with vision or coordination. Despite ongoing research, treatment options are limited, and the prognosis remains poor, making DIPG one of the most devastating pediatric brain cancers.
For more information about this illness and/or if you would like to donate, click here:
