Volunteers Gather at Onelife Fitness to Honor Jessie Rees’s Legacy with Joy Jars for Children Battling Cancer
TYSONS CORNER, Va. — On a recent Saturday afternoon, a group of about 100 volunteers assembled at the Onelife Fitness center in Tysons Corner to participate in a heartfelt mission: assembling thousands of “Joy Jars” for children fighting pediatric cancer. The event, led by the Jessie Rees Foundation, honored the legacy of Jessie Rees, a courageous 12-year-old who inspired countless families with her motto “Never Ever Give Up” (NEGU) while battling terminal brain cancer.
Daniel Hoffman, a Fox News contributor, recounted his experience joining the volunteers alongside his friend and colleague John Roberts. The group filled 3,000 Joy Jars—matching the number Jessie personally distributed before her passing—with gifts, toys, and hats to comfort young patients enduring the harsh effects of cancer treatment, including hair loss. These jars serve as tangible reminders of hope and resilience for children facing the daunting challenges of their illness.
Jessie Rees’s vision has blossomed into a nationwide movement. The foundation organizes Mobile Joy Jar events across the United States, delivering hundreds of thousands of these care packages to children around the world. This initiative not only provides comfort but also builds emotional strength, embodying Jessie’s spirit of unwavering courage.
Hoffman shared a personal connection to the cause, noting that he and his sons have supported the foundation since the passing of his wife, Kim, from cancer nearly five years ago. He reflected on how Kim taught him to honor loved ones by dedicating efforts to causes that outlast us, a philosophy that aligns deeply with the foundation’s mission.
The Jessie Rees Foundation’s work complements broader efforts to combat pediatric cancer, a disease that remains a leading cause of death among children in the United States. Recent advances in research, including initiatives supported by the National Cancer Institute, aim to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for young patients.
Moreover, President Donald Trump’s recent executive order to enhance pediatric cancer research through artificial intelligence, as analyzed by FDA experts, underscores the growing national focus on accelerating breakthroughs in this critical area. The Jessie Rees Foundation’s grassroots efforts provide vital emotional support that complements these scientific advances.
Community involvement remains crucial. Volunteers at events like the one in Tysons Corner exemplify how collective action can bring light to families navigating the darkness of pediatric cancer. For those interested in contributing, the foundation’s website offers opportunities to participate in Joy Jar events or make donations.
As Jessie Rees’s story continues to inspire, her message of inner strength and hope resonates far beyond her years. The ongoing commitment of volunteers and supporters ensures that children battling cancer receive not only medical care but also the joy and encouragement essential to their fight.
For more information on pediatric cancer support and research, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Children’s Oncology Group.
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