Each JoyJar contains 15 to 20 new, age-appropriate toys within its brightly covered sealed jar. Sandeno and Morgan visited three Miller Children’s playrooms on their tour through the hospital and shared some time with patients and their families at their bedside. Sandeno, who is a four-time Olympic swimming medalist, brought two of her medals to show patients.
As an ambassador for the Jessie Rees Foundation, Sandeno has visited several different children’s hospitals and care centers throughout the country. She shares her experiences with patients and their families and teaches them the mantra created by Jessie Rees herself, which is to “Never ever give up” (NEGU).
“It’s really important that we engage our patients in activities that will help alleviate the stress of being in the hospital,” says Rita Goshert, manager of the child life program at Miller Children’s. “Allowing our kids and their families to take a break from what they’re going through to meet someone special or do a fun activity improves healing and shortens hospital stays.”
As part of an ongoing sponsorship and strategic partnership between Anthem Blue Cross and the Jessie Rees Foundation, Morgan made this visit to see first-hand what the organization does on a daily basis. Most recently, Anthem Blue Cross joined forces with the Jessie Rees Foundation to fund the “NEGU for Kids Tour,” which visited every children’s hospital in California. The tour took Olympic and professional athletes to children’s hospitals, Ronald McDonald houses and Boys and Girls Clubs across the state to distribute JoyJars and help kids formulate their own “Never Ever Give Up” goals.
“Being a part of these visits is a great experience,” Sandeno said. “These kids are so optimistic and full of joy when they receive their JoyJars. It really goes to show you that even the smallest acts of kindness can help lift a child’s spirits.”
The Jessie Rees Foundation is a pediatric cancer foundation inspired by 12-year-old Jessie Rees. Jessie, who fought two brain tumors for more than 10 months, passed away in January 2012. During her fight, Jessie focused on spreading hope, joy and love to other kids fighting cancer. She knew that having cancer made you feel lonely and limited, so she chose to spread love stuffed in her JoyJars. The foundation she started now serves 260 children’s hospitals, and every Ronald McDonald House, in America and is now present in 18 different countries.
