Making Memories with the Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. - July 29, 2014 - PRLog -- An exclusive interview (and podcast) with the Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation on August 4th 2014 at 7:00 PM Eastern:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/becausehopematters/2014/08/04/making-dreams-come-true-with-the-jack-and-jill-late-stage-cancer-foundation

When life is wrapped around impending loss, it can be hard to think about things that make you to stop, laugh and have fun. Laughter is truly medicine, however. In fact, it lowers stress, increases serotonin (feel good hormone) in the brain, helps the immune system function better, and makes people more comfortable around one another. The Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation understands those benefits in an incredibly unique way. Their mission is to provide families with opportunities to enjoy beaches, sunsets, sports, music and roller coasters – while head-on in the fight with late-stage cancer.

Jon Albert knows first-hand about the battle with cancer. After losing his wife the week before Thanksgiving in 2006, Jon persevered down a path they had begun together to treat families to a time-out WOW! Experience.® Oncologists now “prescribe” his Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation (JAJF) to families, as part of the treatment protocol. There have been amazing advances in cancer; yet, thousands of children every year still lose a parent to the disease. Jon recognizes that cancer doesn’t just strike the patient – it strikes the whole family.

Jon Albert’s mantra is a sobering one: “It should not take a terminal diagnosis for us to Hurry up and Live!”®

For 9 years, his foundation has been treating the families – not the cancer. More than 900 families in 45 states have benefited from the WOW! Experience.® It is remarkable that the JAJF annual audit confirmed for the seventh year running; 92% of their revenue and expenses go toward programming and 100% of their in-kind to the families. For every $1 in cash support received, JAJF provides $6 in value to each young, late stage family. Jon has just two employees. JAJF's measurable results and their efficiency/fiscal responsibility is to be admired.

Extraordinary in-kind partners include Starwood, Marriott, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Hyatt, Loews, Hilton, Waldorf Astoria, The National Dude Ranch Assoc., The NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball, the Country Music Assoc., the Grammy’s,  National Geographic, SeaWorld, Six Flags, Universal, Disney Broadway, Celebrity Cruises, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Shutterfly, The Coca-Cola Company, Avis/Budget, United, Hawaiian and Frontier Airlines. Deservedly so, JAJF has received the national spotlight from NBC Sunday Night Football, The Today Show, CBS, CNN, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, among others. All in addition to essential financial support from individuals, family foundations, corporations, and grants.

Oncologist have validated the medicinal impact JAJF is having in the immediate term and now longer term for these families, especially the children who are losing their heroes and security blankets at such a vulnerable time. Families are referred directly to JAJF by oncologists through a unique coalition comprised of Florida Cancer Specialists, Moffitt, New York Presbyterian, New York Langone, City of Hope, UCLA, Cedars Sinai, University of Chicago, Vanderbilt Cancer Center, MD Anderson, Dana Farber, Emory, Duke, and others. Jon Albert tenderly notes: The many young Dads and Moms we've lost in our first eight years across the country reinforce our most salient and poignant mantra: Memories become our greatest inheritence.®

Tune in to discover the heart behind JAJF in this exclusive chat with founder Jon Albert and Because Hope Matters Radio Show co-hosts Maryann Makekau and Rob Harris (podcast and downloads available). The Best Part of Memories is Making Them® ... thanks to The Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation

Visit the Foundation to learn more: http://jajf.org/home/