Olympic Medalists and Jessie Rees Foundation Bring Joy to LLUCH Patients

Patients on the hematology/oncology unit (Unit 4800) at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH) got a special delivery from some amazing athletes. Olympic medalists Rebecca Soni and Kaitlin Sandeno distributed “JoyJars” of toys on Monday, July 15. The visit marked the ninth hospital on the Jessie Rees Foundation’s Never Ever Give Up for Kids statewide tour that includes JoyJar toy deliveries to all 14 children’s hospitals in California. “Our Children’s Hospital is blessed to have organizations like the Jessie Rees Foundation to bring a little extra joy to our precious patients,” said LLUCH administrator Zareh Sarrafian, “It’s always great to see the giant smiles on our patients’ faces like we did when they got their JoyJars.” Sandeno, an Olympic gold medalist swimmer was thrilled to interact with patients. She attributes her motivation to participate in the program to the girl who started it all—12-year-old Jessie Rees who lost her battle to cancer in January 2012. “I am just honored to carry on her mission. Jessie started this and never thought about herself,” Sandeno said. “Spreading joy and encouragement is priceless, and these kids deserve every bit of it.” Six-year-old LLUCH patient Aiden Ruvalcaba from Riverside is one of those kids—he couldn’t get through his new JoyJar fast enough. Also on hand to help pass out the JoyJars was Senator Bill Emmerson (R-Redlands) from California’s 23rd District. “It brings me joy to see these kids smile over something as simple as a jar of toys,” he said. “It’s great the Jessie Rees Foundation as well as Anthem Blue Cross are doing this for kids in California.” Anthem Blue Cross has been an ongoing sponsor of the “Never Ever Give Up” tour and provides assistance in the distribution of the jars. “Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital gives courageous kids with cancer groundbreaking care and the ability to heal—they embody Jessie’s motto, ‘Never Ever Give Up,’” said Cheryl Ingraham from the Jessie Rees Foundation. Each JoyJar carries 15–20 new, age-appropriate toys within its brightly covered sealed box for courageous kids with cancer. Jessie started distributing JoyJars herself in 2011 during her fight against inoperable brain cancer. The foundation she started now serves 240 children’s hospitals and every Ronald McDonald House in America.