“Never Ever Give Up”: The Jessie Rees Story
“Never Ever Give Up”
How would you react to the news you have an inoperable brain tumor? Let me pose the question again. What if you were eleven years old and were told you had an inoperable brain tumor? How would you cope with such devastating news?
Jessica Joy Rees received this heartbreaking diagnosis in March of 2011. I met Jessie’s “daddy”, Erik Rees, through my service in the Memorial Ministry at Saddleback Church where he is a pastor. I listened to Pastor Rees speak and comfort families during the most difficult times of their lives. Never did I imagine such a reversal of roles.
News of Jessie’s condition took a long time to adversely affect me. Our church has prayed through cancer and brain tumors before. This would be another opportunity to praise God’s healing or so I thought. I followed Jessie’s journal on Facebook. I thanked God on the days she reported the MRI’s had shown some improvement. My heart ached for her and her family when her reports did not sound encouraging. Even when Jessie was having bad days her bright spirit leaped off the pages of her journal. Jessie lost her battle with this dreadful disease on January 5, 2012.
Jessie did not let what was going on inside of her body affect her outlook on life. She proved that she was given the middle name of Joy for a reason. Even while she was being poked and prodded she was thinking of others. Her main concern was finding a way to spread hope, joy and love to other children battling pediatric cancer.
And so, Joy Jars were born. Jessie wanted to fill jars with toys and activities that would bring children battling cancer joy. While she was well enough to do so, Jessie stuffed and delivered Joy Jars to children in the hospital.
Jessie’s innocent gesture has grown into the Jessie Rees Foundation – Team NEGU. NEGU is Jessie’s motto of “Never Ever Give Up”. Due to the generous support of sponsors such as Build-A-Bear, Chick-fil-A, UPS, Marriott and Veggie Tales, Joy Jars have reached 115 Children’s hospitals and 175 Ronald McDonald Houses.
Although I never met Jessie personally, I can’t help but feel that I knew her through her journal. Her “daddy” Erik has continued this journal. Jessie’s family invited us into their lives to pray for their daughter and now allow us to grieve the loss of Jessie along with them.
Jessie continues to inspire me on a daily basis. I was fortunate to be in attendance for her Celebration of Life Service. The Worship Center of Saddleback Church was filled to capacity and there was overflow into multiple other venues.
I consider Jessie to be an inspiration for the following reasons;
Her trust in God – This is a time when even the strongest of faiths may be tested. She loved God and trusted him with her illness. I find this amazing for an eleven-year old child.
Her concern for others – I can’t think of a better time for a child to be justified in being selfish. This was not the way God made Jessie. She wanted other children to experience hope, love and joy.
Her continuing legacy – The Jessie Rees Foundation continues to grow by leaps and bounds. Jessie’s dream was for every child battling cancer to have a Joy Jar. Through continuing sponsorships and donations her dream is rapidly coming to fruition.
Jessie’s much too short life was not in vain. God had a plan for her. Without her, children around our nation would not be receiving a dose of joy in the hospital. I believe this helps them to feel less alone during a scary time.
_________________
How has cancer affected your life?
Have you known someone like Jessie who focused on others during their health battle?
If you would like to Donate to the NEGU Foundation click here.
33 Comments
Amy,
I am certain this is a time where my first inclination would be to roll up in a ball and say, “Why Me?” The fact that Jessie always had a smile on her face and trusted God with whatever the outcome is amazing to me. It tells me she had faith that I need to keep working to obtain to be that comfortable with whatever he had planned for her.
I honestly do not think I will ever forget her.
Lori
Just to think that someone at such a young age could be such an inspiration to us all. Her courage, bravery and love for God is what kept her strong. How blessed her family was to have her for the short time they did. How lucky are the people who’s lives she touched and continues to touch. What a legacy she has left behind for those who are fighting just like her. Her parents must be so proud. Even when you think you can’t Never Ever Give Up!
Lori,
Thank you for this powerful post about Jesse, her family and the incredible courage she had and shared with us all. What an incredible legacy to leave this world by bringing JOY to others in suffering, wow! It just goes to show you that you do not have to live a long life to have a long impact on others. It is not the years in the life, it is the life in the years that matter. I will keep this incredible family in my thoughts and prayers!
Chuck,
Thank you for your comment.
I think of Jessie every day. If her personality was that infectious on the pages of her journal, I can only imagine what a magical child she was to be around.
The Reese Family has amazing strength, faith and friends. I know they will appreciate your thoughts and prayers as well.
Lori
Hi Lori –
Wow, what an incredible young lady Jessie is, I am so moved by her. This is my biggest fear, my child dying at an early age. I can barely respond to your post, my emotions are flying around. All I can to is pray for the Reece family and ask God to give them Hope and Comfort.
Neil
Neil,
Jesse is such a precious boy and I am sure you worry about him every minute!
I know I even watch Malia nap when I have her out of fear she could fall off of the bed.
Being emotional about this post shows what a big heart you have. It was important to me to tell Jessie’s story. I want her dream to come true. I want all children battling cancer to have their own Joy Jar. I am hoping this post will hope generate more donations.
Lori
After knowing you for 25 yrs I’m not surprised you have chosen this field of work for your career. You are so compassionate and caring and I know you are exactly where you have needed to be your entire life. My cousin Rob passed away when he was 21 yrs old from Lupus and it was so hard on his parents as he was an only child and they adopted him at birth. They raised him in a Christian home and when he passed he told us he knew exactly where he was going and to not be sad because he was going to be back in the arms of Jesus. The peace of knowing where we are going when we die is priceless and Jessie at a young age knew that. God knows the reason for everything and our job is to witness to as many people as we can so they too will know the Peace Jessie and Rob had when they were called back into the arms of God.
Melody,
Thank you for your very sweet words. I didn’t choose this field, He chose it for me. You have been there through the hard times and I am so thankful you are still in my life to celebrate all of the good times.
Although we hate having to say “Goodbye”, especially to children and young adults, our faith makes it easier. We know it is not permanent. We have comfort in knowing we will see each other again in a much better place.
Love you my friend!!
Lori