The Jessie Rees Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, is inspired by 12-year old Jessica Joy

Rees, better known as “Jessie”.  Jessie was a beautiful, athletic, smart and compassionate girl who fought

two brain tumors (DIPG) from March 3, 2011 to January 5, 2012.  During her 10-month courageous fight,

Jessie focused on spreading hope, joy and love to other kids during their own fight with cancer.  She knew

that having cancer made kids feel lonely and limited, and as a result, Jessie felt empowered to help ease

these feelings for those children.  That is when she created “Jessie’s JoyJars”.

Jessie’s JoyJars are 64 oz. plastic jars stuffed to the brim with age-specific toys, activities and games. 

JoyJars create smiles, cure bad days and encourage Courageous Kids fighting cancer to NEGU-

“Never Ever Give Up”.  JoyJars are 100% free to Courageous Kids in active treatment up to age 18. 

JoyJars contain items such as toy cars, stuffed animals, stickers, coloring books, card games, iTunes gift

cards, crazy socks & beanies, video games and much more.  JoyJars are provided at no cost to partnering

hospitals and pediatric cancer care facilities and are given to children who have just received a cancer

diagnosis, those who are hospitalized or receiving cancer treatment.

The purpose of Jessie’s JoyJars is to provide every kid fighting cancer with hope, joy and encouragement

to NEGU at the moment of diagnosis, or during hospitalizations for surgery, treatment or illness. Jessie’s

JoyJars serve as the Jessie Rees Foundation’s first step in connecting with families, bringing awareness

to their stories, offering them helpful resources and sending them continual boosts of encouragement.