Jessie Rees Foundation and Olympic Gold Medalist Help Courageous Kids with Cancer Never Ever Give Up in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA (PRWEB) July 22, 2013 -- Olympic medals, gold silver and bronze, lit up the rooms at Cottage Children's Hospital in Santa Barbara on July 10, helping courageous kids with cancer to 'Never Ever Give Up.'
And knocking on each door to share some smiles, a JoyJar and a lot of caring was Kaitlin Sandeno, four time Olympic medalist and national spokesperson for the Jessie Rees Foundation.
"My friend Jessie lived by the words, Never Ever Give Up, and we are here today to help the kids of Cottage Children's Hospital do the same," said Kaitlin. "We are here to bolster their determination to overcome the challenge of cancer and serious illnesses and we are blessed that hospitals like Cottage Children's do such amazing work."
During the month of July, the Jessie Rees Foundation and its strategic partner, Anthem Blue Cross are visiting all fourteen children's hospitals in California in their 'Never Ever Give Up' for Kids tour. Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara was the fifth stop.
"Cottage Children's Hospital in Santa Barbara gives courageous kids with cancer with groundbreaking care and healing – they embody Jessie’s motto, ‘Never Ever Give Up’, and we are honored that JoyJars will help courageous kids there,” said Erik Rees, Jessie’s Daddy.
Each JoyJar carries 15-20 new, age appropriate, toys within its brightly covered sealed jar for courageous kids with cancer. Jessie started distributing JoyJars herself in 2011 during her fight against inoperable brain cancer. She passed away in January of this year and the foundation she started now serves 202 children’s hospitals and every Ronald McDonald House in America. CNN named Jessie a 'Little Wonder' for her work in December 2012.
“Jessie cared for kids that faced the same struggles she faced by bringing joy to their lives and encouraging them to Never Ever Give Up,” said Erik. “We are blessed to have supporters like Kaitlin Sandeno, and strategic partners like Anthem Blue Cross that have helped us distribute over 54,000 JoyJars.”
PARTICIPANT BACKGROUND
Jessie Rees Foundation http://ow.ly/nd21n
Founded in 2011 by Jessie Rees and her family during her fight with inoperable brain cancer, the Foundation helps kids Never Ever Give Up in their quest for healing from cancer. Distributing Jessie’s JoyJars © through 202 children’s hospitals, and every Ronald McDonald House in the US, the Foundation has provided 54,000 JoyJars to kids and families through the support of major corporate partners UPS, Life Technologies, Anthem Blue Cross of California and others. The Foundation has provided 100% of the JoyJars at no cost to the hospital or recipients and is completely funded through private donations.
Jeff Gibson, Jessie Rees Foundation, (949) 851-8511, [email protected]
Share this article