RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA – Jessie Joy Rees, who made the lives of children fighting cancer happier with JoyJars while she battled inoperable brain tumors, will be named a CNN “Young Wonder” Hero.
Jessie, 12, who died in January after a 10-month battle with brain cancer, will be honored on Sunday along with CNN Top 10 Heroes of 2012 during the “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” broadcast live from Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium.
The show hosted by Anderson Cooper recognizes everyday people who have made extra contributions by changing the lives of others. The “Young Wonder” award was started by CNN a few years ago to showcase youth around the world making a difference. Jessie was selected for her courageous fight and compassionate life from thousands of online nominations.
The Rees family learned about Jessie’s selection in September when a CNN crew came out to produce a spot that will be aired during the broadcast.
“We are truly honored and humbled that CNN selected Jessie and desired to highlight her courageous fight with cancer and compassion for others,” Erik Rees, Jessie’s father said. “Jessie is our inspiration and she truly is a “young wonder”. She is also inspiring people around the world to Never Ever Give Up.”
Jessie, with the help of her parents Erik and Stacey Rees, of Rancho Santa Margarita, created the JoyJars as part of the NEGU (Never Ever Give Up) Foundation. The foundation, which changed its name to the Jessie Rees Foundation on April 8 which would have been Jessie’s 13th birthday, has distributed more than 45,000 JoyJars to children nationwide hospitalized and battling cancer.
Each JoyJar holds 15-20 new, age-appropriate toys for a kid with cancer. Jessie came up with the JoyJar idea while she fought her tumors. She wanted children facing similar battles to have some joy while they underwent treatment.
Following Jessie’s death in January, Jessie’s parents and the foundations volunteers worked hard to carry on her dream– getting JoyJars into the hands of every child fighting cancer.
Olympic gold medalists Kaitlin Sandeno, of Lake Forest, and other Olympic swimmers have rallied to give Jessie’s wish support. Jessie, before she was diagnosed, was a member of the Mission Viejo Nadadores. In March the first Joy Splash was held in Irvine and raised $15,000 to help create JoyJars.
In May Sandeno, Olympic gold medalist Jason Lezak and other local Olympic athletes helped hand out JoyJars to children at CHOC Children’s Hospital of Orange County. They signed autographs and showed the children their gold medals. In September, the 2nd annual NEGU Classic held at the Coto De Caza Golf & Racquet Club raised more than $100,000 for the foundation.
Just before Thanksgiving, 20,000 JoyJars from the Jessie Rees Foundation were loaded on United Parcel Service trucks at the company’s Aliso Viejo headquarters. Those jars will be distributed to children in hospitals nationwide for the holidays. In all, more than 45,000 children will have received JoyJars this year from the Rancho Santa Margarita-based nonprofit.
The effort was aided by contributions from UPS and Anthem Blue Cross of California. UPS helped with logistics and the use of its facility, trucks and drivers. It also donated $40,000 and contributed more than 300 volunteer hours this year. Anthem Blue Cross came on board to help the foundation when it learned of Rees’ story. The health insurance provider helped create 1,500 JoyJars as part of the company’s celebration of its 75th anniversary.
Jessie Rees inspired tens of thousands of Facebook fans around the world. She turned her illness into a chance to rally for other children with cancer.
Jody Pathare, a neuro-oncology nurse practitioner, tended to Jessie during her 10-month battle with brain cancer. She was also present in May when Sandeno and other Olympic swimmers handed the jars out to children at CHOC. Pathare said she’s never forget the huge impact Jessie made when she brought Joy Jars in.
“Even when she was sick, she’d come and deliver them and the kids would get so excited,” Pathare said. “The name is so perfect for them. It’s ironic “Joy” was her middle name. Jessie never felt bad for herself, she wanted others to feel better. As children, there’s just something so pure, innocent and unselfish about them.”
“Sweet-Pea, even though you are no longer here you are making a massive impact. An impact that is not about you but about others. Just like you wanted it. I’m so proud of you and your desire to help others in the midst of your fight with cancer. You inspire me daily. Miss you much, love you more and will see you in a “wink”. I promise!!” Erik Rees posted on the foundation’s Facebook page this week.
SOURCE: OC REGISTER Contact the writer: 949-492-5152 or eritchie@ocregister.com or twitter.com/lagunaini