Jessie Rees Foundation Brings Olympic Gold Medalists, NFL Stars to Distribute Toys to Kids with cancer at Mattel Children's Unit at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica
Long Beach, CA (PRWEB) July 25, 2013 -- Courageous kids with cancer got a fun break from treatment with JoyJars of toys and a gold medal winning message of 'Never Ever Give Up' from athletes ranging from Olympic gold medal winning swimmers Lenny Krayzelburg and Kaitlin Sandeno to NFL Star Kyle Negrete on July 11 at Mattel Children's Unit at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica.
The visit marked the seventh hospital on the Never Ever Give Up for Kids statewide tour that includes JoyJar toy deliveries to all 14 children's' hospitals in California along with visits to Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the state.
"Mattel Children's Unit at UCLA, Santa Monica 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 2012 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 Lenny, Kaitlin, Elyse and strategic partners like Anthem Blue Cross that have helped us distribute over 54,000 JoyJars.”
The effect of caring for courageous kids with cancer was obvious for the Olympians as well.
"At each of these visits, I share my friend Jessie Rees's experience and how much she cared for them," said Kaitlin Sandeno. "You can see the fun they have with the toys and the energy many of them get knowing how many people care for them."
In March of this year, the Jessie Rees Foundation began planning its Never ever Give Up for Kids tour, and topping the agenda were a trip to UCLA Mattel Chldren's Unit in Santa Monica and working with Anthem Blue Cross.
"Over the past year or so, star athletes like Kaitlin have been distributing JoyJars to courageous kids with cancer, and Anthem Blue Cross had been a key to making many of those visits happen," said Erik Rees. "When we put together the vision of visiting every hospital in California, they were there with us from day one. They embody Never ever Give Up for Kids."
PARTICIPANT BACKGROUND
About Mattel Children's Unit at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica uclahealth.org/homepage_mattel.cfm
The Mattel Children’s Unit at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica includes a 26-bed Pediatrics Unit (the only inpatient pediatrics unit in Santa Monica); a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (the only one in Santa Monica); and the 16-bassinet high-tech, high-touch Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. We pay utmost attention to the social and emotional needs of hospitalized children and their families. Specialists from UCLA's acclaimed Chase Child Life program help ease the fear and anxiety associated with hospitalization. They communicate information,
identifying potential stressors and teach coping strategies to patients and family members.
Jessie Rees Foundation http://ow.ly/njRn6
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]
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