Club Meeting: Resilience – My Story with a Brain Tumor

Lord Byron said, “Always laugh when you can. It’s cheap medicine.” It took 7 years for Jen to find the answers to the health issues that plagued her. With the plethora of doctors, medicines, and hospital vacations, the struggle to stay positive was real. The journey produced some great stories and discoveries about the resilience of humans, and most especially herself. Some of the discoveries were surprising as were the people she met along the way that were cheering from the sidelines. Hear her story about overcoming a brain tumor that was as elusive as it was deadly. 

The Rotary Club of Wilsonville meets every Thursday at noon, living out the club’s main objectives of service and fellowship. Guests are always welcome. Meetings take place on Zoom. Contact President Joe Schwab at president@wilsonvillerotary.com, or any member of the club for details.

Jen Zappone grew up in southwestern Pennsylvania and moved to New Mexico in 1996. She served for 12 years in the U.S. Army Reserves and is currently a Peer Leader with WoVeN (Women’s Veteran Network). Jen started her New Mexico career in Mexico in Real Estate, working 13 years with a small real estate firm doing everything from company accounts to property management to real estate sales. The next fork in the road in her career was Information Technology: working with database management, data acquisitions and software implementations. Currently, she is working as a virtual project manager and executive assistant using her love of technology and desire for solutions  to achieve results.  She has been a member of Toastmasters International for over 25 years. In this time she earned her Distinguished Toastmaster award (DTM) — the highest award that you can achieve. She has also served as District 23 Director overseeing operations in New Mexico and Parts of Texas. Her Quirks: Jen is passionate about: Johnny Cash and any Pittsburgh sports teams.