Child Medical Crisis Assistance

Dear Friends and Supporters,

I hope this message finds you well. We’ve been quiet lately, and today, I come to you with a heart full of mixed emotions. After much reflection and some very tough decisions, we have decided to dissolve Jeremy Cares.

Jeremy Cares was born in 2009 out of a profound need to give back to the community that enveloped us with love when our son, Jeremy, faced a fierce battle against leukemia. Over these past 15 years, our journey has been one of immense joy and profound gratitude, thanks to your boundless generosity. Your support has created countless moments of joy and hope, and no words can fully express our thanks.

Though it’s difficult to say goodbye, we are determined to close this chapter with a flourish. We have planned some extraordinary final projects to leave a lasting legacy of the love we’ve received. Here’s what we have in store:

Ronald McDonald House: We are dedicating ourselves to sponsoring a Treasure Chest closet for the next seven years. Each child and sibling will receive two coupons to select a toy or gift during their stay, touching approximately 3,500 children and bringing our total support given to the House to over $225,000!
The Gathering Place Summer Camp 2025: We are thrilled to sponsor a week-long summer camp for 60 children, ensuring that their summer is filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
Cleveland Clinic Children’s Rehab Facility: We are enhancing their playground with eight new accessible panels for music and interactive play, which will support and entertain children for years to come.
Scholarships: We are awarding an additional eight renewal scholarships in 2024 bringing our total since inception to $146,500 awarded to 78 survivors and siblings pursuing their college education.
University Hospital’s AYA Cancer Bash: Next January, we will sponsor this event, allowing adolescent and young adult survivors to connect and share their experiences.

These final acts of giving are a testament to the incredible support you’ve shown us throughout the years. Although we cannot capture every moment of impact on paper, we have included a snapshot below of our journey to reflect your generosity and love.

I am also delighted to share that Jeremy is thriving. In February, he married his love, Ashley, and they are embarking on a beautiful journey together. Our hearts are full knowing that Jeremy continues to build a happy and healthy life.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the incredible individuals who have been the heart and soul of Jeremy Cares. Their dedication, love, and countless hours have made a profound difference. To each of you—Mary Kellick, Lisa Bain, Mike Bankowski, Megan Kuhlenschmidt, Maryann Ruben, John Toth, Heather Dougherty, Kristen Moran, Kelli Buttolph, Judy Jirka, Gianna Picciano, Donald George, Jeremy George, and Benjamin George—words fall short of expressing the depth of my appreciation. Your selflessness and unwavering commitment have been nothing short of extraordinary.

As we say goodbye, I find comfort in this quote by Emily Maroutian: “If you want to know where to find your contribution to the world, look at your wounds. When you learn how to heal them, teach others.” This quote resonates deeply with the journey we’ve shared and the healing we’ve been able to offer others.

With all my love, gratitude, and heartfelt hugs,

Debbie George