Dear Friends & Fans,

We hope this note finds you enjoying holiday season.  We are writing this from Denver where we are celebrating Christmas with Aunt Kimmy & Uncle Tim.  Jessie wanted to be here…so we are here=).  Please continue to pray for our sweet girl as she fights this terrible disease.

As 2011 comes to an end, we wanted to pause and send this note to all of you. Your love, care, prayers and support have helped ease the pain the last 9 months of fighting cancer with Jessie. Pain that can not be put into words, but pain that can be softened with hope. Hope is truly all we have to hold on to. Thankfully, our hope is anchored in God’s love, grace and mercy.

Spreading hope, joy and love has also been our mission since Jessie’s diagnosis. We can’t imagine journeying this path without hope. Our motto has been and will remain, Never Ever Give Up or NEGU for short. NEGU is all about “hope”. It’s the message we share with as many kids and families possible. Because if you lose hope…you have nothing. I have seen the power of “NEGU” transform a father’s face and a mother’s heart. I have seen NEGU remove despair, discouragement and desperation. I have seen NEGU inspire waves of courage and compassion. I have seen NEGU renew perseverance in a family fighting for their 4 year old boy. It’s the kids and families we have met that truly inspire us as Jessie inspires them. We truly are “better together”.

As we look towards 2012, we are so honored to be able to wave the banner of “NEVER EVER GIVE UP” with Jessie as she spreads joy to the 50,000 courageous kids across America fighting cancer.  God clearly has chosen her for this special mission. A mission all of you have helped her to advance. Your notes, Facebook posts and donations to her foundation confirm this special assignment in so many ways. Once again, we are “better together”.

We are also very thankful to the many volunteers who have given of their time and talents in 2011.  We are especially grateful to the Board of Directors who sacrifice so much to help steward Jessie’s Wish.  Their love and support allows us to focus on our baby girl. This amazing team have chosen “50” as the theme for 2012, which will strengthen and spread “NEGU CARES” nationally next year. Some of the goals they have set include:

• Creating local/national awareness for the 50,000 kids fighting cancer [we have made great progress this year with our events, social media campaigns and national media coverage]
• Assisting courageous families in all 50 states [we reached 21 states this year]
• Raising $50,000 for pediatric cancer research [we raised over $10,000 this year]
• Encouraging 50,000 courageous kids with JoyJars [we made over 3,000 JoyJars this year]
• Spreading the NEGU message to 50 Children’s Hospitals [we partnered with 7 hospitals in 2011]

As you can see, we have made great progress in only six months. I have listed a few other 2011 highlights below for you to celebrate with us.

The Board of Directors wanted you to know of the opportunity to make a year-end donation to help further NEGU online at www.negu.org/donate. You can mail your support to:

The NEGU Foundation
8 Via Onagro
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

While online, make sure to save your seat for the NEGU Gala. It’s going to be a great evening of dinner, drinks, dessert and dancing. The special concert with John Tesh is going to be a must see.

In closing, thank you for supporting for Jessie. While Jessie has lost her hair, her strength, her hearing in one ear and her vision in one eye…she has gained amazing strength, passion, love and care for others because she loves God.  In addition, because of all of your support, just another reason why we are “better together”.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Love,
The Rees Family

A few special highlights…

• 21,500 fans supporting Jessie on Facebook
• 3,500 fans supporting TeamNEGU on Facebook
• 200 volunteers official join TeamNEGU
• NEGU Denver opens branch
• Cancer research donation given to CHOC
• 5,000 NEGU bracelets sold
• NEGU Gear designed…t-shirts, caps, stickers, bracelets, tattoos, swim caps
• Pura Vida Bracelets make NEGU and JoyJar bracelets to support pediatric cancer
• 3,000 JoyJars filled and delivered
• Marriott & MFS bless us with amazing support
• 500 JoyJars purchased as gifts
• Orange Coast College Baseball team support NEGU & does JoyDrive
• 4 kids choose to forgo their birthday gifts and make donations to NEGU
• Several companies hold JoyDrive to collect toys for JoyJars
• Trailer Park sponsors 1,500 JoyJars and send JoyJars out as corporate holiday gifts.
• Castille Elementary School raises over $1,000 for JoyJars
• Cancer research donation given to Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation
• Castille Girl Scout Troop stuffs over 100 JoyJars
• RSM Moms North Club raises over $2,500 for NEGU
• Kids Who Care in Ladera Ranch fill over 150 JoyJars at JoyDrive
• Saddleback Church Kids program fills over 100 JoyJars
• Coca-Cola donates 5,000 polar bears for JoyJars
• Chick-Fil-A donates 1,000 free kids meals for JoyJars
• Veggie Tales signs on as official JoyJars sponsor
• Bed Bath Beyond offers opportunity for retail JoyJars
• Tesero High School launches TeamNEGU Club
• OC Register covers 6 NEGU events
• Jessie goes on American Idol
• El Toro High School launches TeamNEGU Club
• San Diego State swim team competes with TeamNEGU Caps
• San Diego State football team wears NEGU gear in last home game to support pediatric cancer
• Valencia Elementary School JoyDrive fills close to 200 JoyJars
• Tuttle-Click Automotive group raises over $3,000 for JoyJars
• JoyJars delivered by Olympic athletes at Rady’s Children Hospital
• Olympic Swimmer Chole Sutton races with TeamNEGU gear
• Eva Longoria supports JoyJars
• Lance Armstrong supports NEGU
• Bulk JoyJars sent to Children’s Hospital Orange County
• Bulk JoyJars sent to Children’s Hospital LA
• Bulk JoyJars sent to City of Hope
• Bulk JoyJars sent to Rady’s Children Hospital
• Bulk JoyJars sent to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
• Bulk JoyJars sent to UCSF Children’s Hospital
• CBS news produces two stories on Jessie and JoyJars
• NEGU Golf Classic sold out first year…144 golers
• 501 c3 filing received from IRS in only 2 weeks
• UPS signs on to be official carrier of JoyJars in 2012
• Clarient supports NEGU as Strategic Sponsors
• Mission Viejo Nadadores hold successful swim-a-thon to support NEGU

As a Strategic Sponsor, UPS commits to helping enhance and advance the mission and vision of NEGU.  Specially, UPS brings a proven system to help spread joy to kids and families across America.  We are honored to add UPS to our Strategic Team.

We have always felt a great collaborative spirit with the executive team at UPS.  UPS’ support empowers us to be able to deliver hope, joy and love in very practical ways to kids fighting cancer.  Jessie’s Wish to send every child one of her JoyJars will be reachable now with UPS’ support and strategic alliance.  Our theme to Never Ever Give Up mirrors much of UPS’ brand and commitment to excellence.

Today is clearly a turning point in our short history and continues to confirm we are clearly “on mission”.

NEGU!

We are so excited to continue our wonderful relationship with Marriott Hotels.  Marriott has clearly shown a great commitment to helping care for kids fighting cancer.

Marriott will be one of our Gold Sponsors at The NEGU Gala on January 21, 2012 positioning them as one of our premier supporters.

Thank you Marriott for helping us encourage courageous kids!

Trevor Hollack

Trevor is turning 12 on Sunday, October 2nd and would like his friends and family to donate to the NEGU Foundation rather than give him a present. Jessie has been a classmate of Trevor’s for the past several years. He wants to help Jessie and other kids in similar situations find a little joy in their lives while they courageously fight against cancer. Jessie has inspired him to help those in need and to NEGU.

1st Annual NEGU Golf  Classic Raises Funds to Help Encourage Children Fighting Cancer

Ranch Santa Margarita, CA – September 15, 2011 – The NEGU Foundation reports that it’s 1st Annual NEGU Golf Classic, presented by Clarient, was a huge success. The tournament, held on September 12, 2011, raised funds to increase awareness and provide encouragement for kids fighting pediatric cancer.

Golfer’s from across Orange County and Southern California were greeted at Marbella Country Club, located in San Juan Capistrano, CA, by countless NEGU volunteers referred to as TEAM NEGU. Upon arriving, each golfer received a JoyJars™ filled with items ranging from a golf shirt provided by Oakley, to golf balls provided by Wilson, and of course a NEGU (Never Ever Give Up) bracelet.

“JoyJars™ are one way The NEGU Foundation helps encourage courageous kids”, explains NEGU president and founder, Erik Rees. “We fill JoyJars™ with toys and fun items and deliver them to children who are hospitalized and fighting cancer.” According to Rees, JoyJars™ were inspired by his daughter Jessie. Jessie is 12 and was diagnosed on March 3, 2011 with an inoperable brain tumor. While undergoing radiation and chemotherapy at Children’s Hospital Orange County (CHOC), Jessie made it known that her wish is to send a JoyJars™ to every kid in America who is fighting cancer – all 10,000+ of them! “I’m so proud of my daughter,” says Erik. “In the midst of such a life-challenging event she’s choosing to be better, not bitter.” Jessie’s actions are certainly making an impact. Her Facebook page (facebook.com/jessicajoyrees) alone has close to 17,000 people following what is quickly becoming a national story.

The tournament, which was conceptualized just three months ago, quickly sold-out and  had 200 people attending the evening’s silent auction, dinner and fashion show. ”We were proud to be a part of the 1st Annual NEGU Golf Classic,” said Ron Andrews, CEO of Clarient, a GE Healthcare Company. “It’s not often you get to be a part of such a well-organized and special event benefitting such a great cause.” Additional sponsors of the tournament included companies such as UPS and Zodiac. Golfers were treated to lunch by Boneheads prior to the shotgun start. On-course they enjoyed a mid-afternoon snack provided by Chick-Fil-A.

“We’re truly blessed by the amount of support and generosity we’ve received,” comments Rees. “We’re looking forward to many more events and the opportunity to encourage thousands of kids fighting cancer. We’re just getting started!”

About the NEGU Foundation:

Founded in March, 2011, The NEGU Foundation was inspired by Jessie Rees. NEGU (Never Ever Give Up) is the motto and message of Jessie, a caring 12-year old girl who is fighting an inoperable brain tumor herself at CHOC. Jessie’s wish is to deliver the NEGU message to every kid fighting cancer in the United States so they can stay strong and Never Ever Give Up. The NEGU Foundation is all about “encourage-care” for patients and their parents so no one stands alone! The mission of the NEGU Foundation is Encouraging Courageous Kids.

All proceeds from the NEGU Golf Classic will be used to help the NEGU Foundation continue to provide hope and encouragement to children fighting pediatric cancer. Any businesses and individuals interested in making a donation to the NEGU Foundation can contact Rick Brotherton at 949-218-5566 or via email at rick@inegu.org.

For more information on the NEGU Foundation and to make donations, please visit www.inegu.org.

For event photos visit  http://www.thenegufoundation.org/golf/negu-classic-photos/

To make a donation: http://www.thenegufoundation.org/donate/

# # #

Taryn Welch

Taryn will be turning 10 on September 11th. Just like Jessie, Taryn is a swimmer too, though she swims for the Dolphin aquatics. When discussing Taryn’s plans for her birthday she asked that her family and friends make donations to NEGU rather than purchase gifts for her. Jessie and the family has been in our family’s prayers and both of our girls have been truly inspired by her.

Team NEGU is honored to have the support of these wonderful kids/families that used their weekend to raise over $150.00 at their beach lemonade stand.  We love it when “kids help kids”.

$150 makes a big impact in a child’s life…it can fill 15 JoyJars, it can send a Family Fun Kit to three families and it can provide a child with Team NEGU gear.

Help Team NEGU encourage kids by making a donation today.

 

Team NEGU is honored to have the support of Adoption Network Law Center.  This great group of people have started doing Charity Casual Fridays.  Their goal goal is to benefit local organizations that impact children/families.  We will continue to do this on a quarterly basis.  They chose The NEGU Foundation as their first quarterly participant because of the amazing and inspiring work that Jessie does.

According to Kris Yellin, “Employee donations for Casual Friday amounted to $203 in cash and the company has matched that.  In addition, we have passed around a JOY Jar for donations and some of us who participated in a “Biggest Loser” challenge have donated our winnings!  I believe the grand total is around $500.00″

Thank you Kris and Adoption Network Law Center for your love for kids, families and supporting Team NEGU.

Team NEGU

We love the idea of Kids-helping-Kids. Your amazing act of kindness and generosity is so wonderful and inspiring.  Team NEGU is honored to receive your wonderful donation of $46.50 from your lemonade stand sales.  This money will continue to help us encourage courageous kids to never ever give up in their challenge.

Never Ever Give Up being your best!

Team NEGU