The kids currently in treatment at the Children’s Hospital Colorado woke up to a very special surprise last week—a delivery from the Jessie Rees Foundation’s Joy Factory! Kaitlin Sandeno and 
Karalynn Joyce, Olympic Swimmers, hand delivered over 100 of Jessie’s JoyJars to every child currently under care at the hospital. Another 200 were delivered to other children in treatment. As always, the kids were smiling from ear to ear as they opened their very own JoyJar–stuffed to the rim with age appropriate toys and games and a special note of encouragement from Jessie Rees, founder of the Jessie Rees Foundation.
During her own 10-month fight with cancer, a time when most people would be looking inward, 12 year old Jessie chose to focus her time and energy helping other kids in hospitals and kids fighting cancer. Jessie thought these kids could use boosts of joy and love. She was only three weeks into her own difficult treatment, when she asked a question to her parents, “How can we help them?” From this desire to help and to reach other kids, Jessie founded JoyJars- plastic jars filled with age-appropriate, hospital-approved toys, games, and activities, along with a special note and bracelet—with her personal motto and inspirational message to NEGU, Never Ever Give Up.
To-date, Jessie’s JoyJars have been delivered to over 200 children’s hospitals around the world. Over 50,000 children fighting cancer have received a gift of Joy from Jessie’s Foundation.
Would you like to help send a boost of encouragement to children fighting cancer? Consider joining Jessie’s JoySquad!