How do I upgrade from Jessie to Buster without reinstalling all my software?

[Linux for blind general discussion]

Hello.

I have a lot of software. Reinstalling it would be a real pain. Can I upgrade to Stretch or Buster without doing that? 
How?

Thanks,
John

-- 
John J. Boyer
Email: john.boyer at abilitiessoft.org
website: http://www.abilitiessoft.org
Status: Company dissolved but website and email addresses  live.
Location: Madison, Wisconsin, USA
Mission: developing assistive technology software and providing STEM services 
        that are available at no cost