Key Moments in the Jay Fund’s History

Jay McGillis, starting strong safety for Tom Coughlin’s Boston College Football team, is diagnosed with leukemia and passes away eight months later.

Tom Coughlin and his wife Judy vow to create a way to help families who have a child with cancer after witnessing the struggles Jay and his family went through.

Tom Coughlin hired as first Head Coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

First Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Celebrity Golf Classic. This event becomes the foundation upon which the Jay Fund was built and raises money to help pay household bills for Jacksonville families who have a child with cancer.

First party for childhood cancer patients held at Jaguars stadium, marking the start of the Jay Fund’s emotional support programming.

First scholarship awarded, Jacksonville.

First Remembrance Weekend for parents who lost a child to cancer, Jacksonville.

Tom Coughlin joins the New York Giants as Head Coach.

Jay Fund expands to the NY/NJ market.

Keli Coughlin becomes the first full-time staff member after starting as a volunteer in 1998.

First Wine Tasting Gala, Jacksonville, presented by Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits.

$20,000 Grant made to Child Psychology Fellowship at Nemours, kickstarting the Jay Fund’s support of treatment centers to help improve the quality of life for patients in the hospital.

First gala fundraiser, NY/NJ, the predecessor to the Champions for Children Gala.

First scholarship awarded, NY/NJ.

Now & Forever Endowment launched to secure the long-term future of the Jay Fund, Jacksonville.

1010XL hosts the first Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Radiothon, Jacksonville.

Jay Fund formalizes partnership with THE PLAYERS and PGA Tour and moves the Celebrity Golf Classic to THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, one of the nation’s premier golf courses.

Established Evan’s Teen Room at Wolfson Children’s Hospital to provide programming and support for adolescent and young adult patients.

Financial Game Plan program launched, Jacksonville.

Impact Player Program established.

BE THERE Campaign launched to secure the long-term future of the Jay Fund, NY/NJ.

Financial Game Plan program launched, NY/NJ.

Launched Coach Coughlin’s Leadership Team to recognize donors who give $1,000 or more to the Year-End Giving Campaign.

Jay Fund enhances its expertise with addition of a Child Life Specialist, who oversees emotional support programming and promotes coping strategies and resilience among patients and families.

Launched the Sibling Support Program, Jacksonville.

City of Jacksonville declares September 5 Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Day in honor of over 20 years of support provided to childhood cancer families.

Tom Coughlin speaks at the Biden Cancer Summit in Washington, D.C., about the importance of providing financial and emotional support to families with childhood cancer.

While many organizations struggled and were unable to provide support during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jay Fund provided additional financial support to families and offered virtual emotional support programming.

HIPAA-compliant secure Patient Portal launched to handle all financial requests digitally.

Jacksonville expands the geographical area it serves in Florida and Georgia to support more patient families.

Tom Coughlin pens an op-ed for The New York Times about serving as a caregiver for his wife Judy as she faced a rare and incurable brain disorder, sparking a national conversation around the critical role that caregivers play.

Caregiver Care program launched, Jacksonville.

Jay Fund increases annual financial maximum offered to each family by 33%, accounting for the rising costs of basic needs like housing, food and transportation.

Caregiver Care program launched, NY/NJ.

Inaugural Judy Coughlin—Be the Light Award presented. Named for the matriarch of the Coughlin family, the award recognizes an individual, group or team who goes above and beyond to support families who have a child with cancer.

First Remembrance Weekend for parents who lost a child to cancer, NY/NJ.

Jay Fund team members invited to speak on a panel at the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) in Amsterdam, a global meeting of professionals dedicated to improving the lives of children with cancer.

Launch of the Jay Fund’s 31st anniversary celebration, honoring Jay McGillis, who was #31 on the Boston College football team.