Orange County Toddlers Rally Support For Their Peers Fighting Cancer!

On October 5, 2012, over 100 of Orange County’s youngest tots rallied together at Trike 41, in support of their estimated 41 peers who will be diagnosed with cancer each day. Together with their parents, Orange County toddlers gathered support and funding from their family and friends in preparation for their first trike-a-thon. At the close of the event, they raised over $10,000.

The funds raised by the toddlers were collected, sealed and delivered to the Jessie Rees Foundation’s Joy Factory for immediate production of an estimated 500 JoyJars ™ to be sent to children all over the world fighting cancer. A JoyJar ™ is just that—a jar of love, hope and joy--filled with toys, games, activities and special note for the kids to “NEGU”.  NEGU-Never Ever Give Up was 12 year old Jessie Rees’ personal motto during her courageous battle with cancer. Jessie’s message, NEGU, has become a symbol of hope and inspiration for thousands of kids fighting cancer.  

Trike 41, hosted by OC Mommies, was an exciting day for kids to learn the wonderful lesson of giving, while supporting the estimated 250,000 kids affected by cancer today*.  Participants in Trike 41 enjoyed a kids concert, special appearances by princesses and super heroes, pizza made on a fire truck, face painting, a bounce house, baby play station and more.  Trike 41 was sponsored by -The Sili Company, Murray and Amy Falk Real Estate Team, imortgage- Ryan Grant Team, Renaissance Club Sport, Frox and Frolic, Happy Family, Joovy, Bumbleride, Morgan Law Group and The European Wax Center.

Event Vendors-Company 77 Mobile Pizza Unit, Jules Music for Kids, Gymboree Irvine, Bounce Boot Camp, Princess Party Enchantment, Face Formers, Kona Ice, Party Karacters, Teri Layne Mobile Salon Services, Celebrate with a Sign and Just Breastfeeding.

(Photo credit: OC Register)

Pediatric Cancer Statistics According to the Center For Disease Control and Prevention

“In the United States, cancer is the second most common cause of death among children between the ages of 1 and 14 years, surpassed only by accidents. More than 16 out of every 100,000 children and teens in the U.S. were diagnosed with cancer, and nearly 3 of every 100,000 died from the disease”

About the Jessie Rees Foundation

The Jessie Rees Foundation is a pediatric cancer foundation inspired by 12 year old Jessie Rees.  Jessie was a beautiful, athletic, smart and compassionate girl who fought two brain tumors (DIPG) for ten months and two days.  During her courageous fight, Jessie focused on spreading hope, joy and love to other kids fighting.  She knew having cancer made you feel lonely and so she choose to spread love stuffed in her JoyJars®.  JoyJars ® have now become a recognized symbol of hope, joy and love in 150 Children’s Hospitals and over 175 Ronald McDonald Houses”- www.jessie.org