Memories Become Our Greatest Inheritance

The broader educational message this Rosh Hashanah and throughout the year: It should not take tragedy for us all to slow down and celebrate family.

Since 2006, the Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation is educating and reinforcing to children and adults alike the importance of family time and the long-term value and “greatest gift” of family memories.

From another young, late-stage family recently treated by JAJF: “We cannot stop time, nor can we slow it down. We can only embrace the time we have with our children … as a family together. With what time I have left on this earth, it is important we make the most of it. Thank you, Jon, for JAJF. Thank you for believing in the importance of positive family time for the children. This peace is everlasting.”

I can’t tell you how often I hear the word “peace” from our Moms and Dads.

We’re able to furnish the gift of treasured, positive (indispensable) memories for these children and these young Moms and Dads … for these families together … while they can. The Moms and Dads are passing away with the peace and comfort of knowing their children will always have the lasting memories of fun and WOW! together as a family. The smiles say it all.

The many young Dads and Moms we’ve lost in our first 12 years across the country reinforce our most salient and poignant mantra: Memories become our greatest inheritance®.

For oncologists to validate the medicinal impact JAJF is having immediately and now longer-term for these families, especially the children, is extraordinary.

While I hate why I started JAJF, I am/we are blessed to receive such poignant and uplifting feedback day after day …. from our families, from these children three to 11 years later (now in their 20s, many of them), and from our invaluable supporters (benefactors/investors).

Sadly, it remains too easy to receive prescriptions to treat these sweet, young families. Despite advances in cancer research, too many young Moms and Dads are not being saved by the next hope for a cure and are leaving behind their children.

There is a need to keeping fighting the fight; there is also a need to keep fighting for life … for family time.

The sheer gratitude and smiles on the faces of the children and their young Moms and Dads say it all. That is the clear ROI for us all, and that is the:
Broader Message For All Of Us This Rosh Hashanah (and beyond). Smiles, joy and fun (cherished) family memories are the best gift … and often the best medicine. Family after sweet, young family, JAJF is giving the gift of precious time and lasting, positive (cherished) memories for the children. Cherish is the word.