Jaci Hermstad Spirit Award

Jaci Hermstad's Cowgirl spirit radiated a light of faith, inspiration, grit, resilience and courage. She exemplified what it meant to be brave and fearless. 

Jaci’s work ethic and dedication was exemplary. She faced insurmountable trials in her life but she always rose above her obstacles and persevered. A quote she loved was, “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.” This was her gallant, “Cowgirl Up” attitude and steadfast determination. Jaci did much more than leave a mark on this life- she left a heroic legacy and her spirit endures yet today as her valiant fight inspires countless others. 

Jaci lived life with a fierce dedication that set an example for all those around her. She did not take anything for granted and passionately lived each day to the fullest. When someone asked her how she was doing, invariably, her response was always, “Livin’ the dream.” Jaci’s years may have been short but she made the most of every situation. She was self-driven and followed her hopes and dreams with her whole heart. Jaci once said, “And I know I will do something than just pass through this life- I’ll leave nothing less than something that says, I was here.”

Jaci’s favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:28~

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

You can see more about Jaci’s courageous story  and the amazing international“jacifusen” Phase 111 clinical trial on her Facebook page, “Cowgirl Up for Jaci: Roping in a CURE for ALS” 

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Jaci’s Bio Information 

Jaci and Alexandria Hermstad were born on August 22, 1993 to Jeff and Lori Hermstad in Cherokee, IA. Both Jaci and Alex were actively involved in basketball, soccer and softball but their true love was being outdoors and riding their horses. Alex became sick with a mysterious illness in 2005 that robbed her of all her movement. Alex valiantly fought a courageous  fight when we sadly lost her on Feb. 14, 2011, to a very rare, aggressive form of ALS. 

Jaci and Alex were introduced to horses at the age of 4. Jaci looked back at that day as the moment her enthusiasm and love for horses began. Riding horses became her therapy and helped her feel close to Alex as she moved forward in life without her beloved sister. Jaci was also involved in 4-H and won numerous 1st place awards at the Buena Vista County Fair. 

Jaci loved four-wheeling, snowmobiling, gardening and boating but she was passionate about livestock, horses and rodeos. Jaci’s love of horses expanded into rodeo and a major highlight for her was being crowned, “Miss Rodeo Cherokee 2012,” of the Cherokee Rodeo. She felt a sense of duty and honor with the position as young girls, even years later, would tell Jaci how her kindness impacted them. Anyone who met Jaci fell in love with her infectious personality and zest for life. Jaci graduated from Storm Lake High School in 2012. She was a featured speaker at her commencement ceremony where she said, “life will give you trials and tribulations but it’s how you respond to them is what’s important.” 

She then went on to Kirkwood Community College where she received an Associates Degree in Agriculture Management. As an agriculture ambassador, she was asked to speak again at the annual scholarship dinner, receiving a standing ovation and not a dry eye in the audience moved from her inspiration. Jaci then followed her dreams by living on a ranch as an intern in Montana for the summer before getting her Bachelor’s of Science in Agriculture from South Dakota State University. Following graduation, Jaci began working at Spencer Ag as a field sales specialist where she loved traveling in the area meeting and getting to know farmers and helping them. 

Jaci dove headlong into her career with the same determination and joy for life she always had. She was a board member on the Clay County Cattleman’s Association and the Clay County Farm Bureau. The Spencer Daybreakers Kiwanis Club recognized Jaci for her outstanding efforts and dedication to agriculture.

Jaci embraced life and loved her family, her friends, her faith, her job and her horse, Bud. She lived her life with laughter, courage, and a positive outlook – even against impossible odds after her own devastating ALS diagnosis on Valentine’s Day 2019, the same day she lost Alex 8 years prior. 

She stood up to the ravages of ALS and fought it fearlessly. She personally urged lawmakers and the FDA to release a new personalized drug designed for her to treat her relentless type of ALS in record time. Eventually that drug would be known as “Jacifusen”. She started treatment in June of 2019 in New York City and had her 12th and final treatment in March 2020. Tragically, the disease was already too far advanced and we unfortunately lost her in 2020 at 26 years old. 

She did not lose the fight against ALS. Jacifusen is currently in an international Phase 111 clinical trial to help other FUS ALS patients. Her doctors have hope jacifusen is on the cusp of becoming a treatment to slow down symptoms or possibly leading toward a cure for Jaci and Alex’s devastating and aggressive type of ALS. 

Jaci’s grit, sacrifice, perseverance and courage in the face of overwhelming odds, is already becoming legendary advancing science in the ALS community and her story will have everlasting influence on countless others. 

Jaci embraced life and Heaven is now lucky to have our Cowgirl.