Jeremy George’s Family, Friends Continue to Pay It Forward

It’s been a long road for the George family since one of their own, Jeremy, was .

After battling the disease for seven months, the leukemia spread to his central nervous system and he was left with one option: a stem cell transplant with his younger brother Ben, as his donor.

Friends, family, their church and community members rallied around Jeremy and his family and today, the family—and especially Jeremy—continue in their efforts to pay that support forward.

Today, Jeremy is a sports junkie and a Kent State student majoring in electronic sports media. He and his family will again hold a golf outing, the 5th Annual Jeremy Cares Golf Outing with proceeds going to help families and those stricken by cancer.

A quote on his website, JeremyCares.org, speaks volumes:

"There is no way to say thank you to everyone that showed me support, some who were even strangers,” he said. “I’m honored and humbled that the same individuals who supported me continue to support other children through Jeremy Cares. Cancer stinks. Seeing the children smile when we visit the hospital or the Ronald McDonald House is the coolest. I’m not sure I can put into words how much that means to a kid."

His mother, Debbie George, said the family’s philosophy of paying it forward has strengthened.

“Our founding philosophy of paying it forward continues to grow,” Debbie said. “Last year, we not only partnered with other local organizations to grow our services, but we were contacted by past recipients of our Rainbow Babies Holiday Gift Delivery who wanted to help for our 2011 delivery. People who were on the receiving end now wanted to give to others in similar situations. That, to me, shows that our mission of creating moments of joy, no matter how short or small, can have a lasting effect in creating hope.”

Last year, the Jeremy Cares organization raised enough to expand its services. The organization hosted a Super Bowl Party for an entire floor at Rainbow Babies & Children Hospital as well as provide college care packages to survivors.  (College was something Jeremy had to put off for three years).

 “Also, at Christmas now we let the patients also pick somebody that has given them support and then we go out and shop for a present the patient can give to that individual,” Debbie said. “We do this to allow them to ‘pay it forward.’”

This year’s golf outing is Aug. 11 at  in Avon Lake. Cost is $400 per foursome that includes eight holes on the Legacy Course, lunch and steak dinner, beer and beverages and prizes and contests.

Registration is now open, and interested parties can sign up online. Event sponsorship opportunities are also available.

How they’ve helped

Since the Jeremy Cares organization was founded in 2009, hundreds have been helped and have continued the mission of “Creating Moments of Joy.” 

Between 2009 and 2011, the golf outing has raised over $36,000. The organization has:

• Provided Holiday Gifts to over 57 patients and their entire families that had children hospitalized over the Christmas season.
• Provided 200 gifts to the out-patient facility, as well!
• Sponsored a room at The Cleveland Ronald McDonald House for 2011 and 2012, which houses families with children in treatment.
• Updated the playroom items on the Second Floor of Rainbow Babies.
• Threw the entire floor a Super Bowl Bash in February.
• Began providing college care package to pediatric survivors headed off to college to start the next phase in their lives.