‘I Can’t Ever Fully Repay Them - But I’ll Try My Best’

WATSONVILLE, Calif., Nov. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A 16-year-old cancer patient is using his 4-H skills to raise $5,000 for Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services, an organization he says was invaluable to him as he battled his disease.

“When I was going through treatment, it was a really rough time mentally,” said Andrew Perez, explaining why he has chosen to make such a significant gift. “They helped me get out of that dark spot. I can’t ever fully repay them - but I’ll try my best.”

Andrew now hopes that the community will rally to turn his $5,000 gift into $50,000 by supporting a special drive for Jacob’s Heart starting this #GivingTuesday, November 27.

For the past 20 years, Jacobs Heart has focused on addressing the unique struggles faced by children with cancer, working to improve the quality of life for these youngsters and their families.

Andrew was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer, in his left tibia in April of last year. He required treatment multiple times a week for eight months at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, a 90-minute drive each way from his home in rural Aromas, California. Jacob’s Heart helped Andrew and his family with gas and grocery cards plus provided free access to a counselor who was a cancer survivor herself and visited Andrew in his home.

“Jacob’s Heart was a good place for healing,” he said. “They know what you are going through, and they can really empathize, so you can be really honest.”

After years of saving money for college from selling his 4-H livestock, Andrew decided to raise money for Jacob’s Heart and over the course of two county fairs, raised more than $5,000. He has been speaking at events about what it is like to be a teen with cancer and encouraging donors to join him and match his efforts for Jacob’s Heart.

“Imagine a world where we all lived like Andrew,” said Lori Butterworth, Founder and Executive Director of Jacob’s Heart. “He is raising the bar on philanthropy through his boundless gratitude and generosity.”

Contributions to the special drive can be made here.

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SOURCE Jacob’s Heart