Irvine-based foundation brings joy to kids fighting cancer
Erik and Stacey Rees’ 11-year-old daughter, Jessica “Jessie” Joy Rees, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2011. As she was leaving the hospital after undergoing treatment, Jessie asked her parents about the sick children in the hospital who didn’t get to go home each day. Her dad told her that some kids had to stay in the hospital for treatment.
She then asked something that would change the Rees’ lives forever: “How can we help them?”
Jessie went home that day and created the first of what would become her JoyJars – 64-ounce plastic jars stuffed with new, age-appropriate toys, games and activities. At her next treatment, she began delivering them to the kids at the hospital and encouraging them to NEGU – Never Ever Give Up.
Jessie lost her fight to cancer in 2012, but in those last 10 months of her life, she filled more than 3,000 JoyJars and encouraged thousands of kids to NEGU.
Today, the Jessie Rees Foundation continues Jessie’s legacy, serving as a beacon of hope and encouragement to kids and their families fighting cancer, especially those who are unable to leave the hospital while seeking treatment. The foundation is housed at the Irvine-based JoyFactory and oversees Mobile JoyFactories, where more than 40,000 volunteers have created 450,000 JoyJars that have been delivered to children locally, nationally and internationally.
In addition to JoyJars, the organization reaches kids fighting cancer, their siblings and parents through ClubNEGU, a free, 18-month program that provides monthly boosts of joy. Gifts are delivered throughout this time to provide encouragement and remind them they are not alone.
In August, the organization hosted FAMtastic, an event in Irvine for 48 local families that have children battling cancer.
In September, in honor of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the organization will be holding the NEGU Golf Classic on Sept. 18 at Coto…
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