Help families tackling childhood cancer. GIVE TODAY.

Gianna’s Story

Gianna was diagnosed with bone cancer last November and had her leg amputated in February, but she remains tough as ever. Since this video was created in May, Gianna rang the bell in July to signify the end of her chemotherapy treatment. She will get her prosthetic in the next few months, once the wounds from her amputation are fully healed.

“We are finally seeing the rainbow after the storm that has been the last 10 months,” her mom Ashley said.

Sebastian’s Story

Just before his fourth birthday, Sebastian was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Even in the face of countless hospital visits and difficult days, he has remained the joyful, spirited boy he’s always been. When he had surgery to place a port in his chest to receive chemotherapy, Sebastian proudly declared he was like Iron Man—embracing the strength of a superhero and reminding his family that he was strong, too.

Behind Sebastian’s courage, however, his family faced overwhelming struggles. Sebastian’s mom, Daisy, left her job so she could be at the hospital with her son. With five children to care for, they fell behind on bills, lost phone service and even struggled to put food on the table. At times, Daisy turned to the hospital food pantry just to feed her children.

The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund stepped in to ease these burdens—providing grocery gift cards, rent support, and transportation assistance.

“I never thought I would have to go through something like this,” Daisy shared. “I’m very thankful the Jay Fund was there to help. They reduced my stress so I could take care of my kids.”

Henry’s Story

For over two years, Henry’s family embarked on a two-hour commute from Georgia to Jacksonville for his cancer treatment. Diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 7, Henry, now 9, faced a challenging path filled with chemotherapy infusions, countless injections, and an extended hospital stay. He had a chemotherapy port implanted in his chest, which meant that during family vacations, he had to miss out on swimming in the Altamaha River, a cherished summer tradition.

However, in April, Henry rang the bell to celebrate the end of his treatment—a joyous moment marking a new chapter. This summer, he finally returned to the river, swimming, fishing, and enjoying precious time with his parents and three siblings, free from the worries of upcoming medications or treatments.

Henry and his family

The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund has played a pivotal role in providing Henry and his family with emotional support throughout his journey. The Jay Fund generously sponsored Henry’s trip to Camp Boggy Creek, a special camp for children facing serious medical conditions. There, he made new friends, participated in exciting outdoor activities like boating and horseback riding, and experienced his first summer away from treatment in two years.

Understanding the importance of family support, the Jay Fund also organized various events to allow families to bond and take a much-needed break from the stresses of cancer. Henry’s family enjoyed outings to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp games and attended the annual holiday party, where they delighted in carnival games, arts and crafts, and a barbecue lunch. “Those outings allowed our family to take time away from Henry’s rigorous treatment schedule and just have fun together,” Henry’s mom, Amy, shared.

Through a wonderful partnership with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Jay Fund invited Henry and his family, along with three other families, to a Jaguars training camp. It was a memorable opportunity for them to watch practice and meet some of the players. “It was a chance for our family to come together and create core childhood memories that the kids will look back on fondly 10 years from now,” Henry’s dad, Braden, reflected.

“The community and support that the Jay Fund provided my family will never be forgotten and will forever hold a special place in our hearts,” he added, highlighting the profound impact of this support.

Thanks to the Jay Fund, Henry’s journey is not just about battling leukemia; it’s also about creating joyful moments and cherished memories that will last a lifetime.