Memories of Jan

Our Board Members’ Memories of Jan

I was Jan’s partner for five and half years. Although that time feels short we loved deeply, traveled, enjoyed life, laughed, and supported each other through our careers and lives. Being Jan’s caregiver in the end was our last display of love to each other. She taught me so much and left an everlasting mark on my heart, soul, and memories. I am honored to establish this foundation in her memory and I know she would be proud, honored, and humbled. I feel her presence in my life daily and I know she is looking down at all of us with love.

Danielle Doerfler, Jan’s partner

I was Jan’s partner for five and half years. Although that time feels short we loved deeply, traveled, enjoyed life, laughed, and supported each other through our careers and lives. Being Jan’s caregiver in the end was our last display of love to each other. She taught me so much and left an everlasting mark on my heart, soul, and memories. I am honored to establish this foundation in her memory and I know she would be proud, honored, and humbled. I feel her presence in my life daily and I know she is looking down at all of us with love.

Danielle Doerfler, Jan’s partner

Hi, Mark Thompson here and Blessed to be Jan and Jeffrey Thompson’s brother. Jeffrey passed before I came into this world so I know little about him other than from the pictures I have of him as an infant and what stories I have heard from our other siblings. Jeffrey passed away, at around 9 months of age, from the effects of Cystic Fibrosis. Jan is my younger (😊) sister. The youngest of us children. I was fortunate to grow up with Jan and share in many a sibling activity (if you know what I mean). Her life, with cystic fibrosis, has given me a prospective I would not have without having been Blessed to be her brother.

Mark Thompson, Jan’s brother

Hi, Mark Thompson here and Blessed to be Jan and Jeffrey Thompson’s brother. Jeffrey passed before I came into this world so I know little about him other than from the pictures I have of him as an infant and what stories I have heard from our other siblings. Jeffrey passed away, at around 9 months of age, from the effects of Cystic Fibrosis. Jan is my younger (😊) sister. The youngest of us children. I was fortunate to grow up with Jan and share in many a sibling activity (if you know what I mean). Her life, with cystic fibrosis, has given me a prospective I would not have without having been Blessed to be her brother.

Mark Thompson, Jan’s brother

I met Jan in 2018 through the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Xtreme Hike at the Grand Canyon. I immediately appreciated her sense of humor and humble understanding of her impact on the cystic fibrosis and transplant communities. Jan possessed an aura of generosity and a laid-back zest for life. It felt good to be around her.

Jan’s love of animals and the power of her story continue to inspire through the Jan and Jeffrey Thompson Foundation. I feel honored to be on the board.

Karli Newman

I met Jan in 2018 through the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Xtreme Hike at the Grand Canyon. I immediately appreciated her sense of humor and humble understanding of her impact on the cystic fibrosis and transplant communities. Jan possessed an aura of generosity and a laid-back zest for life. It felt good to be around her.

Jan’s love of animals and the power of her story continue to inspire through the Jan and Jeffrey Thompson Foundation. I feel honored to be on the board.

Karli Newman

I met Jan through Danielle, my old volleyball coach. After Danielle shared Jan’s story with me, it instantly put life into perspective…never take anything for granted. Jan to me is an inspiration, she always had a positive outlook, and no matter what she was going through, she lived life to the fullest. She was someone who made a big impact on the people she met and was extremely compassionate towards others. A good advice giver, and a friend who would crack a joke when you needed to smile. She was wise beyond her years. I valued my relationship so much with Jan and was honored for her to let me be a part of her amazing life.

Breanne Pelker

I met Jan through Danielle, my old volleyball coach. After Danielle shared Jan’s story with me, it instantly put life into perspective…never take anything for granted. Jan to me is an inspiration, she always had a positive outlook, and no matter what she was going through, she lived life to the fullest. She was someone who made a big impact on the people she met and was extremely compassionate towards others. A good advice giver, and a friend who would crack a joke when you needed to smile. She was wise beyond her years. I valued my relationship so much with Jan and was honored for her to let me be a part of her amazing life.

Breanne Pelker

I had the pleasure of meeting Jan in 2012 in my role as a pulmonologist rounding on the cystic fibrosis service and the lung transplant service prior to her lung transplant evaluation and subsequent transplant. Over the years I had the opportunity to care for Jan and get to know her through the course of her journey: when she was very sick before her transplant, when she was doing very well after, and then when she started to have more problems related her to lung transplant rejection. Regardless of how things were going for her, Jan was always upbeat and positive and constantly worried about everyone else more than herself. She was one of those patients that always asked me how I was doing and about my family even when she herself was not doing well and had no reason to be concerned about me. Jan had a charisma that was infectious and inspiring, I am honored to have known her and had the privilege of being one of her physicians.

Dr. Chad Witt

I had the pleasure of meeting Jan in 2012 in my role as a pulmonologist rounding on the cystic fibrosis service and the lung transplant service prior to her lung transplant evaluation and subsequent transplant. Over the years I had the opportunity to care for Jan and get to know her through the course of her journey: when she was very sick before her transplant, when she was doing very well after, and then when she started to have more problems related her to lung transplant rejection. Regardless of how things were going for her, Jan was always upbeat and positive and constantly worried about everyone else more than herself. She was one of those patients that always asked me how I was doing and about my family even when she herself was not doing well and had no reason to be concerned about me. Jan had a charisma that was infectious and inspiring, I am honored to have known her and had the privilege of being one of her physicians.

Dr. Chad Witt