Go Big, Go Bold…#GoGold!

In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund proudly announces the #GoGold Initiative.  We encourage you to join us throughout September as we #GoGold to increase awareness regarding childhood cancer and it’s effect on the entire family, as well as our mission to #BeThere for every family, providing comprehensive financial, emotional and practical support from diagnosis to recovery and beyond.

#GoGold…Like Coach Coughlin!

As you know, kids mean the world to Coach Coughlin, and he’s devoted to raising awareness about childhood cancer and the toll it takes on entire families.  So, as the sports world’s collective eye looks his way, Coach will be using the exposure on the sideline to heighten awareness about the Jay Fund and all it does to #BeThere for Jay Fund families.  He’ll wear the Jay Fund gold ribbon pictured here throughout the entire month (even during the nationally-televised Monday Night Football game on September 8th), and the entire Giants staff will follow suit during their home game against the Arizona Cardinals on September 14th!

Why We #GoGold

Each year, more than 10,000 U.S. families receive the devastating news that they must begin to tackle childhood cancer.  In fact, in the Jacksonville area alone, approximately 90 families receive the news, and the number jumps into the thousands in the NY/NJ area.  The financial burden of this news is staggering; on average, each child’s treatment costs over $500,000. To make matters worse, most families will have to do this while cutting back hours at work (or leaving the workforce altogether) to care for their child.

The effects of childhood cancer, however, are much greater than increased financial burden; childhood cancer affects every family in a multitude of ways. The child must come to grips with an entirely new way of life, dealing with the disease, the doctors and the difficulty of life with cancer. Parents must quickly learn to deal with the added stress of massive financial, psychological and practical upheaval in their family’s life, which often affects them forever. Siblings go through difficult psychological adjustments because of the drastic change the diagnosis causes in their lives.

Because childhood cancer affects entire families in so many ways, the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund has vowed to #BeThere for families so they can #BeThere for each other. During September – Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – everyone here at Tom Coughlin Jay Fund invites you to #GoGold with us for families tackling childhood cancer. As long as the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund is a part of the team, from diagnosis to recovery and beyond, no one fights alone.

 #GoGold Gear

Gold ribbons signify Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, but we thought we’d go a little bigger and bolder. Thanks to First Coast Promotions, we’re currently offering a limited-edition #GoGold Jay Fund t-shirt.  It’s 100% pre-shrunk cotton, comes in short- and long-sleeve options and is available in a variety of sizes for youth, men and ladies.  Here’s the best part: more than $10 of every shirt purchased between now and September 30th goes directly to the Jay Fund!  Order yours now.

One more thing about these great shirts: be watching for them at MetLife Stadium on September 14th and EverBank Field on September 21st.  We’re giving these shirts to Jay Fund families and volunteers, so make sure you say hello when you see the Jay Fund Gold Ribbon!

#GoGold Events

To promote and celebrate the #GoGold Initiative, several Jay Fund events will be happening throughout September in the NY/NJ and Jacksonville areas.

#GoGold Patient and Family Events

9/11 – Financial Assistance Planning and Support Meeting (Jacksonville) – Hosted by our Financial Coach Kathy Devine, families will be able to learn new ways to plan for their “new normal” lives.  They’ll receiving special coaching, tips and techniques on financial planning and budgeting, and they’ll also be able to share their stories and concerns with other Jay Fund families.

9/14 – Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Childhood Cancer Awareness Day (NY/NJ) – Joined by Jay Fund Ambassador Marissa Ierna, NY/NJ area Jay Fund families will be treated to festivities and special recognition at Met Life Stadium as the NY Giants take on the Arizona Cardinals at 1pm.   If you’d like to #BeThere too, get your tickets here.

9/21 – Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Childhood Cancer Awareness Day (Jacksonville) – Joined by Jay Fund Ambassador Marissa Ierna, Jacksonville area Jay Fund families will be treated to festivities and special recognition at EverBank Field as the Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Indianapolis Colts at 1pm.   If you’d like to #BeThere too, get your tickets through the Give and Go Program; each discounted ticket purchased nets a $30 donation to the Jay Fund!

#GoGold Impact Player Events

Many individuals, businesses and organizations have come together to make this September a month of impact.  If you or your business would like to help families tackling childhood cancer by raising money and awareness for the Jay Fund, become an Impact Player today!

9/4 – Deutsche Bank’s Karaoke Night (Jacksonville) – Thanks to the generosity of Deutsche Bank, the Jay Fund will receive benefits from a company-wide karaoke party at Dave & Buster’s.  Although the party is for Deutsche Bank employees, if you show up, you’ll probably get to hear the “unique” sounds from the banquet room…

9/5 – Nease High School Football hosts Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Childhood Cancer Awareness Night (Jacksonville) – With Jay Fund patients serving as special team captains, watch Nease take on Fernandina Beach at 7pm.  The Jay Fund will be on-hand with information and opportunities for fans to #GoGold and make a donation.

9/6 – The Let It Grow 19th Annual Benefit Concert (NY/NJ) – Beginning at 3:30pm, this laid-back musical tradition in River Edge, NJ boasts two stages, six acts and lots of fun.  The best part: all net proceeds will benefit the Jay Fund!  For more information, call (201) 489-9499.

9/13 – The Sekine, Rasner & Brock “Run Diva” 5K (Jacksonville) – This “women only” run kicks off at 8am, and proceeds benefit the Jay Fund.  Be sure to greet the Jay Fund staff in attendance, along with Sue Meier, Jacksonville-area marathoner who will be running this year’s NYC Marathon for the Jay Fund!  One last thing – guys can run, too…they just don’t receive any awards bling.  Register for the run here.

9/14 – Heritage Singers Choral Concert (Jacksonville) – The Heritage Singers of Jacksonville will share an uplifting, encouraging performance called “Songs of Hope” at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd (11oo Stockton St., Jacksonville).  Proceeds from this  performance will benefit the Jay Fund.

 #GoGold Right Now

Although Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is September 1st-3oth, there’s no reason to wait; #GoGold now!  Donate online right now to #BeThere for these incredible families who are facing the unthinkable.  Spread the word and share your thoughts and feelings about the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund using the hashtags #GoGold and #BeThere.

Let’s get together, #GoGold and show families tackling childhood cancer that NO ONE FIGHTS ALONE!