She was only given a three year life expectancy. These immediate actions were followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatments. While in route she suffered two heart attacks and upon arrival was informed she had to undergo aggressive cancer treatments which included an ablation (removal) of her first kidney and an ovarian tumor. Jill was emergency airlifted to a hospital in Phoenix. In 2011, Jill’s health issues progressed to life-threatening. A shift in career led her to become a business owner, partnering with her brother Kyle who had recently graduated from ASU Business School. Jill refused to let the diagnosis define and limit her ambitions. Both degenerative diseases have no cure and attack the body by destroying healthy cells, joints, and organs. In 2007, at just 23 years old, Jill was diagnosed with Lupus and severe Rheumatoid Arthritis that doctors expected would confine her to a wheelchair within six months without aggressive treatment. Jill graduated Yavapai College with career sights on dentistry and was attending Northern Arizona University when her life was abruptly changed forever. Nicole Romo owned the sorrel mare and she gave Jill a chance to step up to another level by allowing her to purchase “Rendi” to fill her WPRA professional permit. Jill’s barn included “Rendi,” raised by Wrangler National Finals Rodeo barrel racer and trainer Rachel Myllymaki of Arlee, Montana. Raised and super trained as a calf roping mare by Richard Stowers of Madill, Oklahoma, “Dolly” lived a cherished life with Jill until passing due to age at 38. Jill was a top All-Around competitor that was exciting to watch win numerous seven second goat tying titles, breakaway and team ropings. Jill captured attention with her black horse “Dolly”, rightly registered as FaithHopeAndCharity. “CJ” gave her confidence by placing at the highly competitive Martha Josey Junior World Championships and sizable wins in open competitions. Jill progressed through local, state and national youth and college rodeo wins of many buckles and saddles, riding “CJ”, raised by Melanie Higgins of Carlsbad, New Mexico. The small family of three-with the Lord on their side-never lost sight of their loyalty toward each other, competitive nature, love of horses with Jill’s positive attitude leading the way. She personified desire and courage despite her debilitating illnesses to compete at the highest level of professional barrel racing.īorn in Prescott, Arizona, Jill’s western family life set the foundation for the future for Jill to become an all-around rodeo athlete and brother Kyle to excel in his roping aspirations. Jill had no idea this time a severe lupus flare from stress would lead to no recovery, ultimately leaving her in renal failure of her last remaining kidney, pancreatitis, and congestive heart failure.ĭuring her far too brief time on this earth, Jill truly was an inspiration to those around her. Successful business owner and professional barrel racer Jill Welsh passed away Februafter battling the lasting effects of a 2007 lupus and rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis and kidney cancer in 2011.
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