Olympic Gold Medalists, Super Bowl Champs and Jessie Rees Foundation Distribute Toys to Kids with Cancer in San Diego at Two Hospitals
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) July 30, 2013 -- Incredible stories of courage and healing have helped define San Diego as 'America's Best City' for generations.
And for two days on July 22 and 23, a group of professional and Olympic athletes helped courageous kids and their families Never Ever Give Up in two of San Diego's world famous hospitals, UCSD Medical Center Hillcrest and Rady's Childrens Hospital. The group of athletes distributed toys stuffed in the Jessie Rees Foundation's world famous JoyJars.
The visits mark the last two hospital visits 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.
"UCSD Medical Center - Hillcrest and Rady's Childrens gives courageous kids with cancer 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, every Ronald McDonald House in America, and hospitals on 3 continents and 6 countries. 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, Jordan, Lynell, Myles and strategic partners like Anthem Blue Cross that have helped us distribute over 54,000 JoyJars.”
PARTICIPANT BACKGROUND
About UC San Diego Medical System http://health.ucsd.edu
UC San Diego Health System, along with UC San Diego School of Medicine and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences comprise UC San Diego Health Sciences, which over the past four decades has gained international recognition as a place where discoveries are delivered – bringing breakthroughs from the research lab bench to patients’ bedsides. UC San Diego Health System is San Diego’s only academic health system and is composed of UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest, and UC San Diego Thornton Hospital, Moores Cancer Center, Shiley Eye Center, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center and Jacobs Medical Center (opening in 2016) in La Jolla, as well as other primary and specialty practices of UC San Diego Medical Group located throughout southern California.
Jessie Rees Foundation http://ow.ly/nsQss
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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