Jessica June Children's Cancer Foundation

‘Give with Confidence’ knowing JJCCF was awarded a perfect 100 IMPACT score from Charity Navigator. The rating independently measures the actual impact a nonprofit has on the lives of those it serves and determines whether it is making good use of donor resources. Less than 1% of U.S. charities have been awarded a perfect IMPACT score.

Over the past 20 years, JJCCF has been a beacon of hope for families across Florida who are navigating the challenges of pediatric cancer. Founded in 2004 following the loss of Sandra Muvdi’s only child to cancer, JJCCF’s mission is to help children and their families fight cancer by providing emergency financial assistance for basic human necessities and supportive care services. Since its inception, JJCCF has raised over $5.3 million and helped 7,300 children and family members fight cancer through its core programs: 1) Emergency Financial Assistance; 2) Supportive Care Services 

A diagnosis of childhood cancer creates an immediate medical and emotional crisis often followed by a financial crisis for many families. JJCCF is committed to providing supportive care services and emergency financial relief to help families enduring pediatric cancer pay for everyday necessities such as housing, food, medical, utilities, vehicle, and gas for transportation. This direct and tangible temporary financial assistance JJCCF provides is vital to the survival of these children while they receive cancer treatment and prevents a family from spiraling down. Furthermore, our programs bridge the gap between mainstream and disadvantaged families fighting childhood cancer so that all children can have an equal chance to beat cancer. 

While in treatment, a child is continuously in and out of the hospital, has a compromised immune system and often has to be homeschooled. As a result, a parent most often must give up their job and source of income to become a full-time caregiver.  Although the financial crisis is temporary, it can plunge a hard-working working family into poverty. Many of the children who qualify for our programs come from a single parent household and the child/family has qualified for government assistance programs, yet families are unable to cover their basic needs.

No family should have to deal with such distress at this dreadful time in their life when their main concern should be saving their child’s life. Giving these families a helping hand lets them know they are not alone and prevents destabilization to the point of no return. Families can get out of poverty and become self-sufficient soon after the child finishes treatment. JJCCF’s immediate and timely interventions have prevented evictions, foreclosures, car repossessions, loss of electricity, and malnutrition which ultimately has resulted in the children having a better chance of surviving the fight against cancer.

Since JJCCF was created, our Supportive Care Services Program has been providing emotional/ bereavement support, respite options, advocacy, collaboration, in-kind gift card distribution (mostly groceries), and wish granting/matching.

Our staff in charge of this program is uniquely qualified to respond to the multiple crises families face immediately after being told their child has cancer.  It is healing for parents to speak to someone who has been in their shoes and overcome adversity. As an advocate, we help find solutions for families with extreme needs not being met through the normal channels of support.

JJCCF serves qualifying children/families via partner hospital referrals provided by social workers.

A recent testimonial letter provided by (2) social workers at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital illustrates what JJCCF means to young patients and their families: “For 20 years now, JJCCF has been one of our strongest partners. Their financial assistance program has offered countless families the opportunity to regain some economic stability. The program provides help with paying bills .... which are necessary to keep our families focused on what matters most; their child’s health and getting them cancer-free... We wish for others to see just how much they mean to the childhood cancer population in South Florida."