Never Ever Give Up by Erik Rees

Picture and Synopsis from Amazon

It started with a simple question: How can we help them? It became an international movement called NEGU: Never Ever Give Up. When Jessica Joy Rees was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor at age 11, she chose to focus not on herself but on bringing joy and hope to other children suffering from cancer.
During the ten months she battled cancer, she and her family worked in the “Joy Factory” (originally their garage) making JoyJars®—packages filled with toys, games, and love for other kids with cancer. Jessie first handed them out personally at the hospital where she was being treated, but the effort blossomed quickly and there were soon thousands of JoyJars® being distributed across the United States and to over fifteen countries. Today, more than 100,000 kids have received JoyJars®, and they continue shipping each week to kids in over 200 children’s hospitals and 175 Ronald McDonald Houses.
Jessie lost her battle with cancer in January 2012, but her message lives on in the Jessie Rees Foundation, which has become a beacon of hope for families fighting pediatric cancer.
Join the movement at www.negu.org.

My Review:

This was an amazing story that really captivated me.  I have never heard of JoyJars, but this concept is ingenious, and that it was composed by an 11 year old girl who was fighting cancer herself is just amazing.  If you don't read any other book this year, I suggest that you read this book.  If you are feeling down, this book will lift you up, while it deals with a topic no family should have to deal with, the imminent death of their child, Jessie's outlook and attitude are truly amazing.  I know a family who has been battling a childhood cancer, and their struggle is also inspiring to many.  When I read this book and realized that there is not a lot of exposure for childhood cancer this saddened me.  Now, September is recognized as Childhood Cancer Month.  In honor of Jessie Rees and her gallant fight I dedicate this review to her and to all children out there fighting cancer.  Jessie's father penned an amazing book that will stay with me for a long time to come.  Please take the time to read this book and learn more about childhood cancer, whether it be DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma), which Jessie had, or nueroblastoma, which is another form of childhood cancer, and one that a little girl in my community has been courageously fighting.  This book stated that according to the St. Baldrick's foundation, 175,000 children globally are diagnosed with cancer each year.  I hope and pray that some day soon we will have a cure to eradicate this terrible disease.

Please visit the following sites to learn more about Jessie Rees and her foundation and how you can help:

http://negu.org/
https://www.facebook.com/JessieReesFoundation

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review.