Shaneka Tyrell’s life changed forever in January when she received the comforting news that she was cancer-free, marking the end of a gruelling year-long battle with stage three breast cancer.

In 2023, her life took an unexpected turn when she began experiencing sudden fainting spells.

“I was at work speaking to a co-worker and I just felt like when something hit me in my head,” she said, adding that she instantly lost consciousness and was rushed to the doctor. A CT scan revealed that she had a minor stroke. Three days later, she had another fainting episode. 

“Every time I was at work I realise that the same thing kept on happening, such as my chest tightening up and I feel like I’m blacking out,” related Tyrell, an administrative assistant from Mandeville.

Two weeks later, she discovered a lump under her right armpit and another in her breast which she surmised could have been the result of injury she sustained from the fall the first time she fainted. 

“I didn’t think anything of it. It didn’t register in my mind any at all that it would have been cancer,” she said.

During a follow-up visit to another doctor for an unrelated health matter, Tyrell mentioned the lumps she had felt. The doctor immediately referred her for an ultrasound, mammogram, and biopsy, which later confirmed that the lumps were cancerous. The news left her devastated. Tyrell recalled feeling overwhelmed as the reality of the cancer diagnosis set in.

After surgery and a series of chemotherapy sessions, which made her extremely ill, she was declared cancer-free.

Following her successful fight with breast cancer, Tyrell faced yet another hurdle, a large outstanding medical bill of more than J$400,000 at the University Hospital of the West Indies for the surgery to remove tissues and lymph nodes from her breast.

“I felt broken and helpless. I went home the day, and I just went into my room locked the door and curled up in the bed,” said Tyrell. 

A devoted Christian, Tyrell revealed that, in one of her lowest moments, she asked God how she would pay the enormous hospital bill.

Sooner than she expected, a breakthrough came in the form of JN Money, when a representative called to inform her that her entry in the company’s Christmas Miracles initiative had been selected for funding.  She was left speechless. 

“I couldn’t remember when I signed up,” Tyrell said, explaining that memory loss was a side effect of her cancer treatment. However, she recalled seeing the promotion on social media and had planned to enter.

The Christmas Miracles initiative invited JN Money customers to submit a wish for themselves or a loved one who needed financial assistance and share why their wish should be granted. Her wish for help with her medical expenses was chosen from more than a hundred entries submitted, winning US$300, plus additional donations from the company to assist with outstanding bills. 

Tyrell remains deeply grateful for the financial support which came at a time when her financial struggles were overwhelming. The assistance, she noted, helped to ease the heavy burden and gave her renewed hope and comfort knowing that she was being supported in her fight.

“They have truly made a difference in my life,” she said, explaining that since the start of her medical condition, she has been facing serious financial challenges.

A single mother of two children, Tyrell disclosed that each trip from Mandeville to Kingston for follow-up medical visits comes at a steep cost of up to J$15,000 per trip, in addition to consultancy fees.

For JN Money, the initiative was more than just a promotion. Sanya Wallace, assistant general manager at JN Money Services, explained that it is a means of helping people with genuine needs.

“We are committed to making a difference in the lives of our customers. Ms Tyrell’s story is one of incredible strength, and we are humbled to have played a role in easing her burden,” Wallace said. “The promotion was a way of showing that compassion and community support can turn difficult moments into lasting miracles.”

She added that initiatives like Christmas Miracles reflect JN Money’s broader mission to not only provide a service but to assure its customers that it is with them along their journeys. 

“It’s about building communities and supporting families beyond financial transactions,” she said. “Our customers are at the heart of everything we do and this is why it is important to support them in ways that truly matter to them. We want them to know that JN Money genuinely cares about their well-being and their families,” she noted.

Ms Tyrell continues to be optimistic about the future, drawing strength from her faith and the support she has received. 

“It was a journey but I’m thankful to God I’m still here.  I have learned to trust God, to rely on him and believe in him.” 

“Cancer is not a death sentence if you trust God and believe in his healing. He will take you through,” she maintains.