Welcome to the Jessie Rees Foundation.
A pediatric cancer foundation inspired by 12 year old Jessie Rees. Jessie was a beautiful, athletic, smart and compassionate girl who fought two brain tumors (DIPG) for ten months and two days. On January 5, 2012 Jessie earned her angel wings.
During her courageous fight, Jessie focused on spreading hope, joy and love to other kids fighting. She knew having cancer made you feel lonely and limited so she chose to spread love stuffed in her JoyJars®. JoyJars® have now become a recognized symbol of hope, joy and love in over 200 Children’s Hospitals, 175 Ronald McDonald Houses and 11 countries.
Jessie also shared her motto to NEGU (Never Ever Give Up) through her Facebook Fan Page that has over 180,000 fans. This message of hope, strength and perseverance has made its way around the world inspiring both young and old to stay strong and reach for their goals. Jessie’s motto to Never Ever Give Up will always be our message to kids and families across the globe.
Jessie’s heart of care and compassion is what defines everything we do and who we help.
Our Mission: Encourage kids fighting cancer to “NEVER EVER GIVE UP”
We fulfill our mission and spread Jessie’s love specializing in five areas…
- Encourage kids to NEGU
- Assist Families to NEGU
- Rally friends & communities to NEGU
- Mobilize Celebrities & Athletes to Help kids NEGU
- Educate the World on Pediatric Cancer
We fully believe that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Jessie cared so do we. Please contact Jessie’s daddy Erik if you have any questions. Erik’s email is erik@jessie.org.
Jessie Rees Foundation, is a recognized 501(c)3 public charity. Please note the Jessie Rees Foundation was formally known as The NEGU Foundation and officially changed names on February 2, 2012.
“Through my 25+ years of research with children with cancer and their families, I have observed how positive health concepts, such as spiritual perspective, hope and meaning, can contribute to the well-being of children with cancer. The work of the Jessie Rees Foundation, which focuses on positive health concepts such as joy, love and hope by providing JoyJars and the message to Never Ever Give Up seem excellent ways to foster resilience in children and their families.”
Joan E. Haase, RN, PhD, FAAN
Holmquist Professor of Pediatric Oncology Nursing
Indiana University School of Nursing