OUR INSPIRATION
The Jessie Rees Foundation was, and always will be, inspired by one courageous and compassionate 12 year old little girl. Her name, Jessica Joy Rees, better known as “Jessie”. Jessie was a faith-filled, beautiful, athletic, caring and loving twelve year old girl who courageously fought two brain tumors (DIPG) from March 3, 2011 to January 5, 2012. She loved her family very much and her puppy Mr. Moe.
CBS Covers Jessie’s Life
Jessie Rees on American Idol
Eva & Jessie Making JoyJars
Jessie’s compassion for others led her to ask her parents a short and simple question, “How can we help them?” Jessie was referring to the other children who were in long term, in-patient treatment at Childrens Hospital of Orange County, the same hospital that Jessie was receiving treatment from.
After receiving the “go ahead” from her parents to find a way to help, Jessie created JoyJars®. She just loved creating these fun-filled gifts of joy to share with her peers who were fighting cancer and she continued to encourage them to NEGU®. NEGU, Never Ever Give Up, was Jessie’s personal motto and message.
JESSIE’S JOYJARS
During Jessie’s ten-month courageous fight, she personally stuffed and sent out 3,000 JoyJars to children fighting cancer in homes and hospitals. She was even given the opportunity to personally deliver her JoyJars to kids at City of Hope Hospital. That experience gave Jessie a great deal of pride and enjoyment as she experienced first-hand, the impact her JoyJars had on the lives of other kids.
CNN YOUNG WONDER…
After Jessie earned her angel wings, her family committed to ensuring her wish continued through her foundation. It was also during this time that CNN awarded Jessie the 2012 Young Wonder.
In fall 2014, Harper Collins released the inspiring story of Jessie and her JoyJars in a book titled, Never Ever Give Up.
Prior to March 3, 2011, you would find Jessie attending Saddleback Church where she loved to deepen her faith, studying for the next big test at school, competing in the swimming pool for the Mission Viejo Nadadores, hanging with her family and friends and enjoying shopping and being a kid
CELEBRATION OF HER LIFE
