Jessica Joy Rees

Jessie (http://www.legacy.com/ns/news-story.aspx?t=jessica-rees-never-ever-give-up&id=664)

On April 12th, 1999, Jessica, or Jessie, was born in Santa Margarita California, where she lived her entire life. Jessie loved her family, her yellow lab named Moe, shopping, and swimming on the Mission Viejo Nadadores team. Sadly, Jessie was diagnosed with an inoperable, cancerous brain tumor on March 3, 2011, at only eleven years old.  Then, a second tumor was found in September 2011.  Jessie had to endure radiation treatment and chemotherapy.  Unfortunately, Jessie's battle was ended on January 5, 2012, when she passed away at only 12 years old.  Her legacy, however, lives on.  As Jessie's friend Sophia said at her celebration service on January 11, 2012, "We all hoped for a miracle, then when Jessie left us we all realized that Jessie was the miracle even before she got sick."

Jessie assembling Joy Jars (http://abcnews.go.com/US/slideshow/11-heroes-2011-15151772 (Libbe Becker Fairty ))

During her battle with cancer, Jessie decided that other children suffering cancer, like herself, needed some joy during their fight with cancer.  She wanted all kids with cancer to "Never ever give up".  To do this, she decided to give "Joy Jars" to other kids with cancer and other life- threatening illnesses.  Jessie's Joy Jars are plastic jars filled with small figurines, bracelets, rings, Legos, activity books, and other items that will keep kids' spirits high.  Plus, Joy Jars are free to all patients.  In all, 15,000 Joy Jars have been delivered to kids in all 50 states.  The Jessie Rees Foundation, inspired by Jessie herself, continues to stuff and distribute Joy Jars everyday.

Jessie inspires me because no matter her circumstances, she managed to make a positive difference and keep a great outlook on life.  Even though she was battling cancer, Jessie still thought of others before herself.  For example, Jessie decided that other child cancer patients did not have enough joy in their lives, so she created Joy Jars.  This act is extremely selfless.  Jessie could have just sat around and felt bad for herself, but clearly she did not.  This relates to my life because sometimes I have a hard time keeping a positive view on life, but Jessie motivated me to always stay positive.

All in all, Jessica Joy Rees' perseverance, positive outlook on life, and strong faith in God make her a true hero.  Even though she earned her angel wings in January 2012, her motto, Never Ever Give Up, continues to inspire many people, myself included.