JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville police officer is alive today thanks to a Buddy Check moment — and her baby daughter.

Jess Kramer was rocking her little girl, Dakota, to sleep when she felt her baby’s head pressing against her chest. That’s when Jess noticed something unusual.  Something in her breast hurt.

“It felt like a whole walnut — shape and size, but definitely hard to the touch,” Jess said.

Her self-exam revealed a lump. Jess, just 32 years old, was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer.

Her husband, Matt, a Jacksonville firefighter, says Buddy Check has been part of his life since childhood.

“I remember growing up as a kid and listening to you teach me how important this is,” Matt said.

Saving lives runs in the Kramer family. Matt’s father served 34 years with JFRD, and his older brother tragically died in the line of duty during training. His younger brother now serves as a police officer in Neptune Beach. “Helping people and saving lives is just what we do,” Matt said. Jess shares the same sentiment, and that’s why, early in her medical journey, they wanted to open up and put their story on First Coast News.

Now, their daughter Dakota has become part of that story.

“Our Buddy Check was our daughter,” Matt said. “She was able to find this for us and potentially saved my wife’s life.”

The couple first met on an emergency call — she in her police uniform, he in his fire gear. Now they’re fighting Jess’s cancer together, surrounded by support from family, fellow first responders, and their community.

In a touching show of support, Jess’s colleagues from JFRD and JSO surprised her at the Oceanwood Salon at Jax Beach when she came to cut off her beautiful blonde hair to donate to children with cancer. Hugs and encouragement from fellow first responders filled the room as Jess took this courageous step.

Jess’s oncology doctor at Baptist/MD Anderson, Dr. Dayra Avila-Lima, says that the prognosis for her patient is very good, even five to ten years down the road.  “I think she’ll be good.  I think she’ll be fine, ” Dr. Avila-Lima says, as Jess begins her chemotherapy to shrink the tumor before surgery. 

Jess puts her journey in God’s hands and draws strength from her faith. She has a framed Bible verse at their home that means a lot to her: “Mightier than the waves of the sea is His love for you” (Psalm 93:4). “He has me, and no matter what I’m in His hands,” she said.

On this Buddy Check Day, remember Jess’s story. Check yourself. Remind your loved ones. Buddy Check can save a life.

Jess’s colleagues have also set up a GoFundMe to help with her medical expenses. You can support her family here:

You can also order a free Buddy Check kit, which includes a waterproof card to hang in your shower as a simple daily reminder. This small, powerful habit has helped save countless lives since the Buddy Check program was started 33 years ago by First Coast News anchor Jeannie Blaylock in partnership with Baptist Health. Get your kit here:

You can also sign up for the Buddy Bus, our new mobile mammography unit that brings mammograms straight to your parking lot. Whether you represent a business, school, or church group, the Buddy Bus makes it easy to get screened on-site. Mammograms can detect breast cancer at its earliest stages—even as tiny as grains of sand. Reserve your visit here:

If Buddy Check has helped you, Jeannie Blaylock would love to talk with you.  Please text her at 904-361-8289 at First Coast News.  Your story could help save lives!