What began as extreme fatigue for nine-year-old Steven led to a heartbreaking diagnosis of leukemia. Treatment began immediately, launching Steven and his family into a world of hospital stays, treatment decisions and difficult side effects. His devoted mother, Sherryann, remained by his side while also caring for her three younger children at home — balancing work, parenting and the emotional weight no family is ever prepared to carry.
As Steven’s treatment intensified, frequent trips to the hospital became a way of life. Transportation became a major expense as Sherryann juggled an exhausting schedule of work, being home to care for her younger children and spending nights in the hospital to provide her son with the love and support he needed. The physical and emotional toll was overwhelming, and the financial strain quickly followed. The Jay Fund stepped in to help ease that burden, providing financial support for transportation expenses, household bills and food and allowing Sherryann to focus on being there for her son.
Steven’s cancer proved relentless, bringing multiple relapses and increasingly complex medical challenges. Each relapse brought a new wave of fear, new rounds of aggressive chemotherapy and new complications. Through every setback, Steven showed remarkable resilience and his family demonstrated extraordinary strength, love and commitment to each other.
By January 2024, the cancer moved to Steven’s brain and he was hospitalized almost continuously as he battled side effects, pneumonia and infections. Sherryann remained by his side, spending each night in the hospital.
After a courageous battle, Steven passed away in May 2025 at the age of 13.
Steven was a funny, sweet boy who was deeply loved by his family. He will be forever remembered for his strength, his bravery and the joy he brought to those around him.
Throughout Steven’s journey, the Jay Fund was honored to stand beside his family, providing financial assistance and emotional support during an unimaginably difficult time. While not every child survives pediatric cancer, our commitment remains the same — to be there for families so they never have to face it alone.
