Happy Birthday Jessie Joy Rees, Hundreds of Hand-made Beanies!

Jessie Joy Rees was a 12-year-girl from Rancho Santa Margarita who fought two brain tumors in March 2011 until she died in January 2012. Her positive energy and compassion inspired the “Joy Jars.” Jessie created the jars as a way to send hope to kids going through cancer. The jars are filled with fun, activities, beanies, toys and games. Each Joy Jar is tailored to the child receiving it. It is a way to encourage kids to Never Ever Give Up.

Jessie ‘s birthday was April 8. In honor of her, let’s remember the children we have lost, celebrate survivors, raise money and support families facing childhood cancer. Donate now until April 28, 2016 to receive a free, t-shirt.

No kid should every have to endure the pain and suffering of cancer. No parent should every have to lose a child to cancer, but every three minutes a parent hears, your child has cancer. Matter of fact, nearly 50 children a day is diagnosed with cancer and every four hours a child dies of cancer.

Cancer statistics for children are staggering. One in every 330 children will develop cancer before 19 years old. In fact, cancer is the number one cause of death in children under the age of 15 years old, yet pediatric AIDS receives four times the funding.

Cancer also kills more children than AIDS, asthma, diabetes or cystic fibrosis put together. Did you know nearly 4,000 children and teenagers will die from cancer every year?

With adult cancers we know lifestyle choices can cause cancer, but with pediatric cancers the causes are largely unknown. No new treatments for the rare, deadliest cancers have been introduced in more than three decades. Plus, there has only been one new drug approved for pediatric use in the past two decades.

Families facing cancer have their lives and hearts ripped apart. The five-year survival rate is 80%, but kids who survive will have ongoing chronic illness from the repercussions of the drugs, chemo’s, ivs, etc.

In Orange County, hundreds of families a year are overwhelmed by the emotional, financial, medical and social hardships that cancer inflicts. No family has to face cancer alone!

We salute you Jessie, you were so brave, caring and courageous. Through your journey many of us became more aware of childhood cancers.

For more information, or to donate, you can contact the Jessie Joy Rees Foundation at www.negu.org (NEGU, Joy Jars, www.negu.org, info@jessie.org, or 888-648-6348. The foundation is also accepting donations of handmade, beanies and hats.

Remember, if you don't ask for help, we don’t know you need help. Most people want to help and they love to feel needed. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, sister, brother or other; we would love to hear your story. It is priceless. If you need help in telling your story please contact, Margot Ferron, gomargotgo@aol.com.

Life can change in the blink of an eye. Hug your loved ones and tell them you love them.