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, 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 on Thursday, July 10, 2008. In addition to the above mentioned financial needs, Reyna's 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 the families of Reyna & Zuyani, or would like to make a general contribution for children in need who are fighting cancer, please visit the Foundation's website: JCCF/Donate.com
The Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation in the past has been featured on Channel 4 - Neighbors to Neighbors and Channel 10 - 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:
Jessica June Children's Cancer Foundation
Broward General Medical Center
1600 South Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
PH. 954.593.5603 • JJCCF.org
“Fancy Jeans Spring Break Bash”
Raises Over $137,000 for the
Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation!
The Third Annual Fancy Jeans Spring Break Bash raised over $137,000 for local children in need fighting cancer. On Saturday, March 15, 2008, the Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation hosted the event which was sponsored by the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The reception, themed “reliving Fort Lauderdale’s famous Spring Breaks”, had over 360 guests in attendance, and took place at the poolside of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Guests had a good time dancing to the music of The Edge while being entertained by professional dancers wearing swimsuits from various decades, and acrobatic performers, including a “yellow haired girl” on stilts. Attendees had the opportunity to bid on more than 100 silent auction items. During the event, Jessica Cotto offered her personal and emotional testimony on stage describing how the Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation made a difference in her life during times of crisis while her son was fighting cancer. Alejandra Posada, a five year old previously assisted by the Foundation, drew the three winning raffle tickets. Plaques were awarded to Alexandra Nightingale and Mikaela Ballone for Youngest Most Outstanding Volunteers, to Larry Gettis for Most Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer and to Gregg Sjoquist for the Most Outstanding Volunteer of 2007. Sandra Muvdi, President and Founder, recognized all the events’ generous sponsors on stage including the top tier: Bloom, Gettis & Habib, P.A., Steve Savor, Perfumania, Scott McPherson, Innovative Benefits Consulting, Physicians Insurance Company, Sun-Sentinel, American Airlines, Premier Beverage, Stephens Distributing, Blue Martini and S.MARKGRAPHICS. At the conclusion of the evening, Ms. Muvdi was presented with a $25,000 donation by The Wasie Foundation which came as a surprise to all.
As per Muvdi, “the Fancy Jeans success was beyond my imagination. We raised almost double the amount raised at our last annual event. It wasn’t easy planning an event of this magnitude with a staff of just one (me), but an army of volunteers involved with the Foundation worked very hard along my side to make this event possible. The Foundation is fortunate to have such a nice and caring group of volunteers to help out. They are the Foundation’s greatest assets.”
Sponsors and guests express themselves about the Fancy Jeans event:
Susan Renneisen from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino: “Congratulations on the huge success and money you raised. We are honored to be part of it and so happy that your hard work and efforts paid off financially for the numerous children you will help.”
Michael Scaglione from Bayview Cadillac: “I can not express enough how honored I was to be a part of the Fancy Jeans event.”
Jamie Holt from Miami Children’s Hospital: “Fantastic gorgeous wonderful….beautiful event!!!! Thank you so much for thinking of us…both the Hospital and the Foundation and we thank you for all that you are doing!”
Chandra Geschwill from Perfumania; “I wanted to congratulate you on a successful event as well as thank you for your continued dedication to a wonderful cause. It was a pleasure meeting you and I look forward to next year’s event as one of your premier sponsors.”
Sherri Winston from the Sun-Sentinel: “Wow! That's almost double what you made last year! Sandra, that's awesome. I had such a good time. It was lovely and sexy and fun!”
Jenna Ingraham from Premier Beverage: “It was our pleasure to be a part of the Fancy Jeans fundraiser. Congratulations on exceeding your goal, you must be ecstatic with the amount you raised!”
Welcome to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel for FANCY JEANS - SPRING BREAK BASH! This event ROCKED the night away on March 15, 2008.
Anyone in the mood for dancing? Then you've come to the dancing party of the year! Thats right, This dynamic event was in honor of the JESSICA JUNE CHILDREN'S CANCER FOUNDATION. There were more Fancy Jeans and High Heels than you've ever seen!
This was a night of mingling, dancing, drinking and most of all..'Having Fun'!!! This was the 3rd Annual event that has been put on. Be on the look out for the FANCY JEANS SPRING BREAK BASH VIDEO!
The Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation has the relentless mission of giving hope and comfort to underprivileged children fighting cancer.
We help impoverished, sick children whose parents don’t have the financial means to pay for the required cancer care and treatment (check-ups/chemotherapy/radiation/operation). The children in need do not have health insurance, and receiving private donations is their only alternative for treatment and hope.
A child diagnosed with cancer today has a 70% chance of being alive and well five years from now. This fact is only true if the child’s family has the financial means needed to provide proper cancer care and treatment. Oftentimes money is the only obstacle for surviving cancer. Your donation will help give these children a chance to live.
Jessica June Children's Cancer Foundation hosted a Spring Fling Party themed "Loosen Up Your Buttons". Not only was the party a huge success, it was also sponsored by the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 and held at the Pelican Landing. 100% of the proceeds raised will benefit underprivileged children with cancer living in South Florida. Jessica June Children's Cancer Foundation is located in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation
1 Las Olas Circle, Apt. 209
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
(L - R) Bob Offer (winner of one of the raffle prizes)
Sandra Muvdi and Magali Salazar
(L - R) Aida Char and Veronica Menig
(L - R) Patricia White drew winning raffle door prize tickets (Mother of 4 yr old boy with a brain tumor at JDCH. Family received financial assistancer from JJCCF) and Sandra Muvdi
“Fancy Jeans Spring Break Bash”
Raises Over $137,000 for the
Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation!
The Third Annual Fancy Jeans Spring Break Bash raised over $137,000 for local children in need fighting cancer. On Saturday, March 15, 2008, the Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation hosted the event which was sponsored by the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The reception, themed “reliving Fort Lauderdale’s famous Spring Breaks”, had over 360 guests in attendance, and took place at the poolside of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Guests had a good time dancing to the music of The Edge while being entertained by professional dancers wearing swimsuits from various decades, and acrobatic performers, including a “yellow haired girl” on stilts. Attendees had the opportunity to bid on more than 100 silent auction items. During the event, Jessica Cotto offered her personal and emotional testimony on stage describing how the Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation made a difference in her life during times of crisis while her son was fighting cancer. Alejandra Posada, a five year old previously assisted by the Foundation, drew the three winning raffle tickets. Plaques were awarded to Alexandra Nightingale and Mikaela Ballone for Youngest Most Outstanding Volunteers, to Larry Gettis for Most Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer and to Gregg Sjoquist for the Most Outstanding Volunteer of 2007. Sandra Muvdi, President and Founder, recognized all the events’ generous sponsors on stage including the top tier: Bloom, Gettis & Habib, P.A., Steve Savor, Perfumania, Scott McPherson, Innovative Benefits Consulting, Physicians Insurance Company, Sun-Sentinel, American Airlines, Premier Beverage, Stephens Distributing, Blue Martini and S.MARKGRAPHICS. At the conclusion of the evening, Ms. Muvdi was presented with a $25,000 donation by The Wasie Foundation which came as a surprise to all.
As per Muvdi, “the Fancy Jeans success was beyond my imagination. We raised almost double the amount raised at our last annual event. It wasn’t easy planning an event of this magnitude with a staff of just one (me), but an army of volunteers involved with the Foundation worked very hard along my side to make this event possible. The Foundation is fortunate to have such a nice and caring group of volunteers to help out. They are the Foundation’s greatest assets.”
Sponsors and guests express themselves about the Fancy Jeans event:
Susan Renneisen from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino: “Congratulations on the huge success and money you raised. We are honored to be part of it and so happy that your hard work and efforts paid off financially for the numerous children you will help.”
Michael Scaglione from Bayview Cadillac: “I can not express enough how honored I was to be a part of the Fancy Jeans event.”
Jamie Holt from Miami Children’s Hospital: “Fantastic gorgeous wonderful….beautiful event!!!! Thank you so much for thinking of us…both the Hospital and the Foundation and we thank you for all that you are doing!”
Chandra Geschwill from Perfumania; “I wanted to congratulate you on a successful event as well as thank you for your continued dedication to a wonderful cause. It was a pleasure meeting you and I look forward to next year’s event as one of your premier sponsors.”
Sherri Winston from the Sun-Sentinel: “Wow! That's almost double what you made last year! Sandra, that's awesome. I had such a good time. It was lovely and sexy and fun!”
Jenna Ingraham from Premier Beverage: “It was our pleasure to be a part of the Fancy Jeans fundraiser. Congratulations on exceeding your goal, you must be ecstatic with the amount you raised!”
Welcome to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel for FANCY JEANS - SPRING BREAK BASH! This event ROCKED the night away on March 15, 2008.
Anyone in the mood for dancing? Then you've come to the dancing party of the year! Thats right, This dynamic event was in honor of the JESSICA JUNE CHILDREN'S CANCER FOUNDATION. There were more Fancy Jeans and High Heels than you've ever seen!
This was a night of mingling, dancing, drinking and most of all..'Having Fun'!!! This was the 3rd Annual event that has been put on. Be on the look out for the FANCY JEANS SPRING BREAK BASH VIDEO!
The Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation has the relentless mission of giving hope and comfort to underprivileged children fighting cancer.
We help impoverished, sick children whose parents don’t have the financial means to pay for the required cancer care and treatment (check-ups/chemotherapy/radiation/operation). The children in need do not have health insurance, and receiving private donations is their only alternative for treatment and hope.
A child diagnosed with cancer today has a 70% chance of being alive and well five years from now. This fact is only true if the child’s family has the financial means needed to provide proper cancer care and treatment. Oftentimes money is the only obstacle for surviving cancer. Your donation will help give these children a chance to live.
Jessica June Children's Cancer Foundation hosted a Spring Fling Party themed "Loosen Up Your Buttons". Not only was the party a huge success, it was also sponsored by the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 and held at the Pelican Landing. 100% of the proceeds raised will benefit underprivileged children with cancer living in South Florida. Jessica June Children's Cancer Foundation is located in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation
1 Las Olas Circle, Apt. 209
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
(L - R) Bob Offer (winner of one of the raffle prizes)
Sandra Muvdi and Magali Salazar
(L - R) Aida Char and Veronica Menig
(L - R) Patricia White drew winning raffle door prize tickets (Mother of 4 yr old boy with a brain tumor at JDCH. Family received financial assistancer from JJCCF) and Sandra Muvdi
contact:
address: 1 Las Olas Circle, Apt. 209
address:
city: Ft. Lauderdale
state: FL
zip: 33316
phone: 954.593.5603url: JJCCF.org
