Advocacy Program: Children Urgent Needs
Child Battles Rare Tumor Causing Father to Lose Job & Struggle to Avoid Home Eviction

JJCCF is receiving tax-deductible donations in honor of Ameer. 100% of your donation is allocated to assist Ameer and his immediate family with their basic human necessities.  JJCCF does not charge for its services and does not take a percentage of funds raised. 

Story:

Ameer, 12 Y/O, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital

Ameer was your typical active child until he was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma (a rare bone cancer) in March of 2012.  Since then Ameer has endured an aggressive chemotherapy treatment, intense physical therapy and special radiation treatment offered in Jacksonville, Florida (300 miles away from his home). Ameer’s father lost his job due to the time and care required to support Ameer in his battle with cancer. Without the father’s income, this family of five struggles to pay their monthly rent and avoid eviction while grappling with the emotional threat of this rare cancer.

Needs:

Ameer’s family needs immediate help to pay their monthly rent.

Message from Hospital Social Worker, 4/2/13:

Ameer is a 12-year-old male of Pakistani descent, who is a current patient of this clinic, Division of Hematology and Oncology.  Ameer is diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare cancer found in the bone or soft tissue, in March 2012. Ameer’s treatment consists of 12 cycles of chemotherapy, and a follow up MRI for orthopedic evaluation for a surgical procedure at the end of a total of six cycles of chemotherapy.  He and his family have also traveled to Jacksonville Florida for approximately 6 weeks for Proton Beam Therapy, which is not available to him at our hospital and part of his treatment regimen.  Ameer had been referred for physical and occupational therapy on October 17, 2012 to improve his range of motion in his left shoulder, while he continued with the remaining rounds of chemotherapy.  This increased the number of days he travels to the hospital to 3 to 4 days a week.  Ameer currently has approximately 2 more cycles of chemotherapy remaining and will be traveling to Jacksonville the end of the month for follow up care.

Ameer will continue to require hospitalizations, either as dictated by his treatment plan or emergency as a result of medical crisis.  Ameer will also continue with physical and occupational therapy beyond the course of his chemo.  The family’s flow of income has diminished due to the high demands of Ameer’s treatment.  This has resulted in extreme financial hardship for his family, and financial assistance would be beneficial to help provide for his needs throughout treatment.

Valerie Dorsainvil, MSW

Plea from Father, 4/2/13:

To Whom It May Concern, this is a request for financial assistance.  I am Mohammed Khan, father of Ameer Khan who is a patient at Joe DiMaggio hospital for treatment of Ewing Sarcoma Cancer since March of 2012 and continuing in 2013.  Due to his treatment, I have lost my job and having financial difficulties, especially paying rent. Therefore, I please request if I can get any financial help to pay rent.  Thanks a million for those who are by my side in this hardship.  May God bless and reward.  Thank you.

Mohammed Khan

Testimonial from Father, 11/26/12:

The Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation (JJCCF) was on my side when nobody was in that critical moment when I had no money to pay the rent for December 2012. We were alone with nobody to help us.  Thanks a million to JJCCF.  Keep it up! May God be on your side always and reward you.

Mohammed Khan

Ameer

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*Updated the 1st quarter of every year

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

In 2012 JJCCF provided emergency financial assistance, hope, compassion and love to 454 children and family members impacted by childhood cancer.

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5th Annual Fancy Jeans Party Sponsored by The Wasie Foundation & Presented by Premier Beverage Raised Over $167,000

View video of Fancy Jeans Party by Eye on South Florida

SHAKIRA Sends Dedicated Video & Gifts to Fancy Jeans Child Honoree! View video

  Click on the thumbnail to enlarge

Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors

Title Partner: The Wasie Foundation

Presenting Partner: Premier Beverage

Flare Leg Partners: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Passion Nightclub

Classic Fit Partners: Broward Health-Chris Evert Children’s Hospital, American Airlines, Daoud’s Fine Jewelry

Boot Leg Partners: Florida Panthers Foundation, AutoNation, S.I.D.E.S., BB&T, Ed Morse Bayview Cadillac & Ed Morse Sawgrass Cadillac, MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Miami Children’s Hospital, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital

Slim Fit Partners: Nature’s Products, Inc., Dacha Storani, Alan G. Kipnis from Arnstein & Lehr, Broward Bank of Commerce, GMAIR, Tecnoglass, Bloom, Gettis & Habib, P.A., Ruben & Diana Minski, Publix Super Markets, Inc., Lauderdale Marine Center

Media Partners: Lifestyle Publications, THINK Magazine, Sun-Sentinel, Eye on South Florida

Food Partners: Hard Rock Café, Rice & Dough, Grille 401, Roho Kitchen, LIME, Hooters , Wanda’s Sweet Breads

Other Partners: Bacardi, KP Design & Photography, Events by Vento Designs, CreativeDust.com, Effects Entertainment, Latin2Latin Marketing

 Press: 2013 Fancy Jeans Child Honoree Melissa Gomez Receives a Special Dedicated Video Presentation From Her Idol Shakira & Fancy Jeans Party Raffle Winner Takes Home Brand New 2013 FIAT®

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – Over 700 of South Florida’s hottest social notables, philanthropists and professionals showed off their dazzling denim while dancing the night away at the 5^th Annual Fancy Jeans Party Sponsored by The Wasie Foundation and Presented by Premier Beverage on Saturday, February 23^rd at Passion Nightclub at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.  Chaired by Jen Klaassens of The Wasie Foundation and produced by Events by Vento Designs, the fabulous sold-out Fancy Jeans Party raised $167,000 for the Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation (JJCCF). Karen Wichman was the most outstanding raffle volunteer– raising $8000 of the total.  Proceeds from the event will benefit children fighting cancer in the South Florida tri-county area.  

“A huge team effort orchestrated the outstanding Fancy Jeans Party results! Guests were wowed by the many unexpected surprises.  South Florida families in crisis enduring pediatric cancer are the ultimate winners who will benefit from 100% of the proceeds.  Relieving these families during their darkest moments provides all of us with priceless satisfaction and inner enrichment.  Thank you to all of the volunteers, committee members, sponsors, guests, staff, and contributors; WE DID IT!!!” said Sandra Muvdi, Founder and President of the Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation.

The spectacular evening featured a surprise performance by 70’s and 80’s rap sensations, the Sugar Hill Gang.  The group rocked the house as guests danced the night away while enjoying an open bar, courtesy of Premier Beverage, and tasty delights from Grille 401, Hard Rock Café, Rice & Dough, Roho Kitchen, LIME, Hooters and Wanda’s Sweet Breads.  Party goers also shared in the joy as Grammy-winning Latin Pop Star Shakira appeared on the giant screens with a special dedication video to Melissa Gomez, the 2013 Fancy Jeans Child Honoree.  Melissa is a 4 year old who is currently fighting leukemia. Her dream was to meet Shakira.  Since Shakira could not appear live, the pop icon paid tribute to Melissa via a video from Barcelona. Melissa was also surprised with the granting of a second wish – a Disney Family Vacation Package.

The Florida Panthers Dancers greeted guests as they arrived and Stanley the Mascot caught everyone’s attention as one of the best dancers on the floor.  Other highlights of the evening included a raffle of a brand new 2013 FIAT® won by Jack Chomey; a “Best Dressed” contest with ten creative finalists and winners Angela Salter and Terrance Smalley; and a fabulous silent auction which featured over 125 items including a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana Vacation Package; an Atlantis, Bahamas Vacation Package; Holland America Line and MSC Cruises; NYC Weekend Escape; Casa de Campo 3-Night Getaway; Hilton Hotel Cartagena Weekend Escape and a once-in-a-lifetime ride on the world famous Goodyear Blimp. The spectacular entertainment also included Hora Loca which brought together people from all walks of life dancing and singing with international carnival performers; and dazzling live silhouette dancing, stilt walkers and hanging aerial silk performers who kept guests in awe.

Although 2013 Fancy Jeans Child Honoree Melissa has struggled with leukemia since February 2012, she maintains a fun and positive attitude. Due to Melissa’s fragile medical circumstances and frequent hospitalizations, her mother had no choice but to give up working in order to become her fulltime caregiver.  Her father works as a self-employed taxi driver who has earned very little income over the past year in an unstable market. During this dreadful time, JJCCF has provided emergency financial assistance to cover the family’s basic needs so they can focus on Melissa’s survival.  JJCCF’s Financial Assistance and Advocacy Programs have been providing funding to cover payments for electricity, water, phone, car, groceries and gas gift cards.

The Fancy Jeans Party has been a major source of fundraising for the Emergency Financial Assistance Program, which directly assists children fighting cancer and their families with much needed financial support.  Since inception, the Fancy Jeans Parties have raised over $552,000 to help these families meet their everyday basic human necessities, like food, shelter and medical treatments.

Four Winners of the Fancy Jeans Raffle: -2013 FIAT 500: #0876 Jack Chomey, -Two RT tickets on American Airlines to any destination in South America:  #2324 Sulaico Hernandez, -Twenty suite tickets for Disney on Ice show:  #3518 Carlos Muvdi (gifted to Meli’s family by winner), -Norwegian Cruise Line Bahamas Cruise:  #3192 Eduardo Caballero (gifted to Meli’s family by winner)

 Media Coverage

Video dedicated video sent by SHAKIRA & presented to 700+ guests at the sold out Fancy Jeans party on 2/23/13

Lifestyle Publications, 5/13

Broward Health Magazine, Spring 2013

Think Magazine, 4/13

Miami Herald, 3/31/13

Video of Fancy Jeans Party on Eye on South Florida

Think Magazine, 2/13

Lifestyle Publications, 2/13

Sun-Sentinel Cover Box Society, 1/23/13

Video 2013 Fancy Jeans Child Honoree, Meli’s Family Interview