 To our Friends and Supporters,
As 2015 draws to a close, and a new year begins, I am reminded of the blessings the Jay Fund continues to receive and the privilege we have of helping families tackle childhood cancer. I was looking over our most recent newsletter, and was overwhelmed once again by the growth and scope of this Foundation thanks to your support. When I told Keli I wanted to send a year-end thank you to our supporters, she told me about another beautiful example of our mission to help families tackle childhood cancer that unfolded just yesterday. Gunner is four years old and was diagnosed with Pilocytic Astrocytoma, a brain tumor, in October of this year. Gunner’s diagnosis has taken a huge toll on his family. In addition to his weekly chemo treatments, and the side effects from his diagnosis, Gunner has occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy twice a week. His mom has consistently had to miss work to provide care and ‘be there’ for him. In addition to dealing with Gunner’s health situation, his sister Zoe, who is ten, was recently diagnosed with epilepsy. The Jay Fund made a mortgage payment for the family, and will continue to support them financially and emotionally in the coming months. In addition to our help, we also recommended Gunner and his family for a special holiday gift. Yesterday, December 21, Gunner’s family attended a holiday party given by the Harvey Bernhardt Foundation and were surprised with the gift of $1000 in food and gift cards! This type of tangible financial and emotional support, and community teamwork, is exactly what I had in mind when we founded this organization in honor of Jay McGillis over 20 years ago. So, thank you. Because of your generosity we will continue to #BETHERE for Gunner and families just like his, into 2016 and beyond. God bless and happy holidays, Tom Coughlin “Many many many thanks for your assistance. What a wonderful organization! I have been in fundraising my entire life and have never had to be on the receiving end. We are so grateful. Your assistance means more to us than you will ever know. Thank you!” — Gunner’s Mom |
