Supportive Care Services Program

Supportive Care Services Program

Overview: Since JJCCF was created, the Program has been providing emotional/bereavement support, respite options, advocacy, collaboration, in-kind gift card distribution, holiday wish granting/matching and access to other JJCCF programs. Its purpose is to provide hope, relieve multiple crises and bridge the gap between mainstream and disadvantaged families fighting childhood cancer so that all children can have an equal chance of beating cancer.

Key Services Provided

• Emotional and bereavement support for families who experience loss of a child
• Respite options - special events and outings to distract families from their pediatric cancer journey
• Advocacy - help finding solutions for families with extreme needs
• Collaboration with local organizations and charities
• In-kind gift card distribution
• Holiday wish granting/matching during holiday season
• Access to other JJCCF programs
• Facebook support group - closed support group for assisted families ("JJCCF Support Group for Assisted Families") closely monitored with pediatric oncology news, free offers, and peer support

Holiday Programs

Holiday Heroes Event (since 2017): Partnership with Neighbors 4 Neighbors and BBX Capital inviting assisted families to special event featuring:
• Meeting Santa
• Receiving wish gifts/gift cards
• Decorating wreaths
• Face painting
• Other fun activities

Local Organization Partnerships: During holidays, local organizations adopt assisted families to grant wishes, including:

Celebrity Support

Various celebrities have supported JJCCF and granted wishes to children, including:
• Ellen DeGeneres
• Pitbull
• Shakira
• Justin Bieber
• Derek Jeter
• Sofia Carson

Program Leadership

• President/CEO/Founder personally manages the program and offers unique qualifications to support families
• Founder's personal experience: blood cancer (loss of daughter), lung cancer (loss of mother), and breast cancer (surviving her own)
• Fluent in Spanish to communicate with Spanish-speaking families

Impact

• In 2024, served 451 children and family members
• Since creation in 2004, impacted 7,257 children and family members (as of 12/31/24)