Em and Ethan’s Epic Ice Cream One bright and early Sunday morning this past September, four young and big-hearted Coto de Caza residents woke up excited for what the day held for them. After a week of planning and preparation, they were finally holding an ice cream stand to fundraise money for the Jessie Rees Foundation. Two sets of siblings, Fifth graders Madeline and Cameron, both 10, Ethan, 7, and Emily, 6, spent a couple of hours on a busy street corner near the Coto Equestrian Center eagerly dancing and waving down cars passing by to sell them ice cream and cold drinks.  The idea came abo ..read more

NEGU for Courageous Kids on Facebook! Visit our Facebook page Click Here! Prior to July 7, 2019, Zoey was a normal, healthy, fun-loving and adventurous 8-year-old. She enjoyed helping others and spending time with friends and family. Zoey loves reading, playing outside, riding bikes and swimming. She also enjoys visiting Six Flags, playing video games, and watching movies. Her mom tells us, “As a mother you wake up and there is no preparing for the news that shook our lives on 7/11/19. Zoey was taken to SSM St Clare after a seizure (with no previo ..read more

NEGU for Courageous Kids on Facebook! Visit our Facebook page Click Here! Steven was diagnosed in 2017 on his 10th birthday with Leukemia and is currently in the maintenance phase of his treatment. Throughout his journey, all he has wanted to do is bring awareness and give back. You’re never too young to change the world! Steven began to host blood drives and eventually won the Rookie of the Year award at LifeStream’s Chairman Recognition Event. Steven’s mom says that he has “changed our lives, from the day he was born and again the day he was dia ..read more

NEGU for Courageous Kids on Facebook! Visit our Facebook page Click Here! Cameron was always active in sports, so when he would get covered in bruises, his parents didn’t think much of it. But when he was frequently ill, started to have shortness of breath and fainting spells, Cameron’s parents became worried. The pediatrician assured them they had nothing to worry about —until April 15, 2019, when 10-year-old Cameron was vomiting, had a fever and severe sore throat. They thought it sounded like a case of strep throat, which had been going around ..read more

My Jessie Journal: Ring….Ring…Ring Hello? Hi daddy, it’s Jessie. “Hi Sweet Pea…how are you. It’s so good to hear your voice. Is everything ok?” Daddy, I’m doing great! It’s great to hear your voice too. What are you doing? “Well, I got up about an hour ago, had my morning coffee and toast and now just praying.” You always loved your coffee and toast. What are you praying about? “I sure do…my little morning ritual. I was praying for mommy, Shaya and JT. I was also praying for a few parents that had reached out to me from our iNEGU app asking for prayer. I love praying for famili ..read more

My Jessie Journal:: Hi Sweet Pea, it’s daddy! I love and miss you so much. I’m also incredibly proud of you and your desire to help other kids fighting cancer. We have been reviewing the last eight years as we get ready to plan for 2020. WOW…God sure had a big plan for you and used you in so many amazing ways to bring help and hope to incent kiddos. Rest assured we are not veering off mission at all…rather looking for ways to “reach every kid” so we can “encourage them to NEGU”!!! I found another phrase to help me journey this road of you being in Heaven ..read more

NEGU for Courageous Kids on Facebook! Visit our Facebook page Click Here! 5-year-old Kendall was diagnosed with Leukemia this year. Even with her diagnosis, she is trying her best to not let cancer slow her down. She loves staying busy and playing outside! She and her family are doing their best to enjoy all that summer has to offer between Kendall’s hospital stays. Kendall loves L.O.L. Dolls, riding her bike, unicorns, the Greatest Showman movie, swimming, playing at the park and of course, Barbies! Nicknamed ‘Kenny’, she is a super courageous li ..read more

My Jessie Journal: Hi Sweet Pea, it’s daddy! Happy 4th of July=). I love this picture of you and I on July 4th, 2011. We were in the “honeymoon” stage of your treatment where you were able to eat and walk again. You loved those “sparklers” so much. I remember you liked to draw hearts with them in the air. Those were such fun times. We had so many fun times together as a family and we miss those times with you so much. According to my phone app it’s been 2, 737 days we have been apart. That seems so long and yet if I live to be 80 years old it will be 10,950 more days until we are r ..read more

My Jessie Journal:: Hi Sweet Pea, it’s daddy! It’s Thursday and I don’t have many words today…just sending you a big HUG from my heart to your heart in Heaven. I miss you with every breath…and with every breath I get closer to seeing you again!!! See you in a wink…promise! xoxo, daddy The post Jessie Journal appeared first on Jessie Rees Foundation | Encouraging Kids Fighting Cancer to Never Ever Give Up ..read more

NEGU for Courageous Kids on Facebook!Visit our Facebook pageClick Here! William appears to be a typical 16 year old in many ways, attending high school, learning to drive, playing a lot of video games and hanging out with his friends. But, he’s not your typical 16 year old kid, he is currently battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia. So currently, William isn’t having the same teenager experience as most boys his age. William is fighting hard and determined to win his battle with Leukemia. Over the course of just 3 days in October of 2018, William went from a 16 year o ..read more