 |
|
Hello JJCCF Friends, Thanks to several major gifts & grants recently contributed to the Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation, the Foundation is able to provide double the assistance to children in need fighting cancer in South Florida. We appreciate the kindness and generosity of the Community Foundation of Broward (made possible by the Harold D. Franks Cancer Fund), Barclays Bank and the Ultimate Software Group. The first two children who benefited from the increased financial assistance were Reyna and Zuyani.
 Reyna Varela, 7 years old, was diagnosed with an inoperable malignant brain tumor seven months ago at Miami Children’s Hospital. As in all cases we see, Reyna’s mother can not work in order to care for her child’s special needs while receiving cancer treatment. Before Reyna’s cancer diagnosis, her mother used to clean homes to make ends meet. Reyna’s father does not provided child support for her or her two siblings. Reyna’s mother has not been able to pay rent, electricity, utility bills or car insurance since April. The Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation was able to alleviate the family’s financial crisis and prevent eviction by making a check payable to their landlord. As advocates for Reyna, we thank Channel 10 ABC, Local 10 Care Force for featuring this family’s compelling story in hope that viewers in our community will also help. Reyna’s segment will be aired on Monday, July 14th during their noon show and again on Sunday, July 20th between 7:00 and 8:00 A.M.
*Sadly, Reyna passed away today, 7/10/08. In addition to the above mentioned financial needs, family needs assistance with funeral expenses.
 Zuyani Bernal, 3 years old, was born with polycystic kidney disease and diagnosed with liver cancer in 2006 at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Zuyani has received chemotherapy, had half of her liver removed and is waiting for liver and kidney transplants from Jackson Memorial Hospital. Her mother works 10 hrs/day making $7/hr at a child care center while her grandma takes care of Zuyani at home. The father does not provide any child support. Given that Zuyani’s mother emigrated from Colombia, the family does not qualify for government assistance such as Medicaid, Social Security Income or food stamps. The needs of this family include rent, electricity, grocery gift certificates, cell phone, clothes and a vehicle. The family depends on public transportation, since they don’t have the money to purchase a car. This little child and her mother must take various buses to get to and from both hospitals. Zuyani, her mother and grandmother live in a studio, and all three sleep in one bed. The Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation was able to alleviate this family’s severe financial needs by providing funds to pay for their rent, clothing and food. After receiving the assistance, the mother expressed much appreciation and said she was going grocery shopping to buy “meat” for Zuyani.
If you would like to help Reyna or Zuyani, or would like to make a general contribution for children in need who are fighting cancer, please visit the Foundation’s website: Click Here
The Community Foundation of Broward’s mission is to provide leadership on community solutions, and foster philanthropy that connects people who care with causes that matter. A public organization with more than $82 million in assets, it has allocated $40 million to the community since its founding in 1984. For Good. For Ever. For more information, please visit www.cfbroward.org
Thank you for your time, love and support,
Sandra Muvdi
Founder / President
The Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation in the past has been featured on Channel 4 CBS – Neighbors to Neighbors and Channel 10 ABC – Local 10 Care Force. The following video links (3 minutes each) include the Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation as advocates on behalf of children in need who are fighting cancer:
1) “Boy with Tumor Needs Help” aired 5/29/07 http://www.local10.com:80/news/13406551/detail.html
2) “Boy Suffering from Cancer Hopes to go Home” aired on 5/11/06. http://cbs4.com/video/[email protected]&cid=5 children cancer foundation
|
 |
