Encouraging Courageous Kids Fighting Cancer and Empowering Them to Never Ever Give Up!
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Every day 41 kids are told they have cancer. Today there are more than 250,000 courageous kids fighting cancer in their homes and in hospital beds. Children and families affected by pediatric cancer are often left feeling lonely and limited. That is where the Jessie Rees Foundation comes in.
Jessie Rees was a beautiful, athletic, smart and compassionate 12 year old girl who fought two brain tumors (DIPG) for ten months and two days. But for Jessie, her cancer was never about her. While Jessie received her treatments at CHOC during her courageous fight, she realized how many kids were fighting cancer and it became her wish to encourage every single child fighting to Never Ever Give Up. So with her daddy, Jessie started JoyJars®.
What started out as Jessie filling plastic jars with toys, stickers, and fun to take to children fighting cancer like her, has become an international symbol of hope, joy, and love. Through foundation fundraisers like the NEGU Gala, JoySplash, and NEGU Golf Classic, along with corporate sponsors and individual donors, the Jessie Rees Foundation has raised over $350,000 to send JoyJars® all over the world, which are free for patients and hospitals!
Through May 2012, the Jessie Rees Foundation has stuffed and sent more than 15,000 JoyJars® to courageous kids in every US state, Canada, Germany, India, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa. Along with being sent to kids fighting at home, the Jessie Rees Foundation has partnered with and sent JoyJars® to over 160 Children’s Hospitals and 175 Ronald McDonald Houses. Continuing Jessie’s legacy has been made possible by hundreds of dedicated volunteers, celebrities, and professional and Olympic athletes.
Jessie’s wish has brought joy and encouragement to so many courageous kids fighting cancer and other life-threatening illnesses:
“I’m so happy to write to you about the JoyJars! I wish that I could somehow capture every smile that I see when one is handed out and opened. When a patient is first admitted or having a difficult day it is so nice to be able to share some joy with them and their families. Thank you JoyJars for the many smiles that you bring!” -Ashley, Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women and Children
While 50,000 kids fight cancer courageously from hospital beds, there are another 200,000 fighting at home. Though Jessie lost her battle with cancer and earned her angel wings on January 5th, 2012, her legacy of love will continue through the Jessie Rees Foundation. Inspired by Jessie, our critical mission will forever be to get a JoyJar® into the precious hands of every courageous kid fighting cancer or life-altering illnesses. NEGU!
“Through my 25+ years of research with children with cancer and their families, I have observed how positive health concepts, such as spiritual perspective, hope and meaning, can contribute to the well-being of children with cancer. The work of the Jessie Rees Foundation, which focuses on positive health concepts such as joy, love and hope by providing JoyJars and the message to Never Ever Give Up seem excellent ways to foster resilience in children and their families.” –Joan E. Haase, RN, PhD, FAAN Holmquist Professor of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, Indiana University School of Nursing
More About This Charity
Region
West
Category
Best New Charity
Name
Jessie Rees Foundation
Mission
Encourage kids affected by cancer to Never Ever Give Up!
Impact
- This Achievement raised $350,000 in the past year
- This Achievement helped 15,000 kids in the past year
- 15,000 JoyJars sent to kids fighting cancer – all over the world – in over 4000 homes, 160+ Children’s Hospitals, and 175 Ronald McDonald Houses
Works In
USA, Canada, Germany, India, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa
Learn More
