Welcome to the official web site of The Jessica Rose Foundation, Inc. established in September, 2009, in memory of Jessica Rose Kohut.  Sunrise-12/31/02-Sunset-2/6/09. 

We are a 501C3 non-profit organization. The mission of the foundation is to help families in our local communities when their child is undergoing cancer treatment. In addition to the emotional devastation of this tragedy is the added financial burden families endure while they care for their child and seek treatment.

The Jessica Rose Foundation held its grand opening event on February 6th, 2010, which also marked the one-year anniversary of the passing of Jessica. Jessica battled a rare pediatric cancer called neuroblastoma (a cancer of the nerve cells) for two years. You can learn more about neuroblastoma by visiting www.bandofparents.org.

“Establishing the foundation in Jessica’s memory is our way of giving back to others who need help and hope during a tragic time in their lives.”
~  Maureen Massari (Founder and Mother to Jessica Rose)

The Jessica Rose Foundation, Inc. is committed to creating awareness and raising funds for these families to help ease some of  the financial burden. The foundation’s program is unique because we support a family in a variety of ways-by helping to supplement income loss with gift cards for food, gas and other items the family may need including paying other living expenses. We also support families by reimbursing them for certain expenses such as for care-related travel, insurance co-payments or other medically needed equipment for the child. Because each family’s situation is different, we tailor the program to best fit their needs in order to make the most impact.  Each family will receive up to $1,000 in total combined assistance. We hope one day to be able to provide more financial assistance as the foundation grows.

Almost always, one parent has to quit their job in order to care for their child 24/7 during active treatment. Sometimes, the child is from a single parent home-making their situation even direr. We work with each family to determine the type of support that is most beneficial to the them.  There are many children in cancer treatment and their families are in need of help.

The foundation has helped about 25 families in the Greater Tampa Bay area so far. To continue helping more families, we need more support-no matter how small, it all makes a difference.  I’d like to point out that the foundation’s overhead is very nominal.  Everyone involved with the foundation donates their time and services including our wonderful web designer.  We receive referrals for a child in cancer treatment from either a local hospital, school or other local charity.  The child can be a newly diagnosed patient or one who has relapsed and is back in treatment.  Either the family or a hospital official can fill out the referral form posted on the web site. 

The assistance we provide is often in the form of helping the family pay their mortgage, rent, utility bills, car repairs, health insurance co-payments, food, gas or travel expenses for treatment.  Sometimes, there are other special services the child may need such as physical therapy or hearing devices that insurance doesn’t completely cover.

Life goes on for everyone else around the family.  Every week, there’s more children  diagnosed with cancer.   This tragedy stops every parent in their tracks.  Life has a new meaning and revolves around saving your child at any cost.

Jessica’s journey taught us about courage and what it means to have hope. She inspired us to believe that we CAN make a difference! Jessica’s battle against cancer was cut short by a complication from a routine treatment and so she lost the war but the fight against cancer still continues for many children and their families.

Please take a few minutes to read Jessica’s story.