Joanna Christine Jara

It is with a broken heart that we share Joanna Jara, 23, passed away at sunrise November 26, 2019 in Orlando, Florida, after a five-year battle with Osteosarcoma. Joanna was born in Miami, Florida, October 23, 1996 and attended elementary school at Montessori in Hammond, Indiana, middle school Holy Name of Jesus, Indialantic, Florida, and high school Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, Melbourne, Florida. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma towards the end of her junior year March 2014, and regardless of the need of a major surgery at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, as well as 9 months of inpatient chemotherapy at Arnold Palmer Hospital, Orlando , Florida, she was able to complete her senior year and was accepted to University of Miami, School of Communications August 2015 where she graduated recently with a Bachelor degree. Sadly, the osteosarcoma returned twice, the last time in March 2019 with such a severe pain and suffering, that will not end until she finally rested in peace. She faced every trial bravely and at age twenty-three she had accomplished so much and overcome so many difficulties with grace and strength. She had many plans and we have no doubt she would have continued to excel at life if it had not been for our inability as society to provide her and others with treatments and cure to cancerous disease. She passed surrounded by the love of her family, sisters Kathy and Andrea, and parents, Lili and Cesar, as well as friends, represented physically at her bedside by Joey Rain. There are no words to properly describe the feelings that accompany this unfair and devastating outcome. However, our family is comforted by Joanna's everlasting presence and by the message: to not be overcome by sadness and to continue to live life fully. Please, continue to honor her in any way you can and live your life inspired by her bravery and grit. We hope that you join us in honoring Joanna by attending her Celebration of Life Ceremony, which will be held Saturday November 30th. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 AM followed by a reception at 10:00 AM in the church Life Center at St. James Cathedral, 215 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801. In Memory of Joanna Jara 💛&#55356;� Joanna was an integral member of the radio station at University of Miami. She wished that in lieu of flowers you share your condolences by donating to WVUM, the University of Miami radio program. The following is the link: https://www.wvum.org/donate There you will see a video at the page, where Joanna is featured with her beloved friends. Click the top blue ‘Donate’ button to be directed to the page where you will specify the amount you wish to share. There, it is also very important that you write in the message box the donation is ‘In Memory of Joanna Jara.’ Fight Osteosarcoma https://www.arnoldpalmerhospital.com/pediatric-specialties/pediatric-oncology. https://moffitt.org/cancers/sarcoma/bone-cancer-in-teens/ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/disease/15041-osteosarcoma Please share this with friends and family. The radio station staff holds Joanna close to their hearts and will use the donations to keep her memory alive through the program, which Joanna truly loved. Lastly, we encourage you all to wear a yellow accessory this Saturday (such as a ribbon or tie) even if you are unable to attend her ceremony. That is the color which represents sarcoma cancers. Joanna did not let herself be defined by cancer, despite the unimaginable pain she faced. Her virtues are inspiring, and we hope by wearing yellow you feel as if you can physically show your support and perhaps start a conversation about Joanna...keeping her memory alive. There are a limited number of parking spots directly next to the Cathedral. Guests are encouraged to use the Jefferson Street Parking Garage (62 W Jefferson St, Orlando, FL 32801). All St. James visitors and guests can park here for free during the weekend.

Joanna Christine Jara

October 23, 1996 - November 26, 2019