Jacob's Heart Children's Cancer Support Services

The mission of Jacob's Heart Children's Cancer Support Services is to improve the quality of life for children with cancer and support their families in the challenges they face.

Since 1998, Jacob's Heart has served more than 306 families of children with cancer.

In 2008: More than $61,000 was given directly to families in need, in order to help with household bills as well as to provide prepaid phone, gas and grocery cards; we celebrated 85 birthdays, rejoiced in 10 children completing their cancer treatment, and partied with 45 families at our annual Winter Holiday party; 600 Kid's Cards packets were mailed out, entertaining and encouraging 43 children on a monthly supportive basis; and during the Holiday Season 45 families were adopted and over 300 children received holiday gifts filling their hearts with joy and their faces with smiles.

Our families reside throughout the Monterey Bay region: 50% from Santa Cruz County; 42% from Monterey County; and 8% from San Benito County.

Nearly 75% of families served qualify as low-income.

Nearly half of the children served by Jacob's Heart come from monolingual Spanish-speaking homes. In these cases, families are not only struggling with the diagnosis of cancer, but also with navigating a system in a language other than their own.

Faced with the daunting challenges that come with their diagnosis, these children and their families have overwhelming emotional and financial needs.

All of our funds come from individuals, private grants, businesses, community organizations and local fundraising event; we do not receive any governmental support.

Each year more than 250 volunteers dedicate their time and energy to Jacob's Heart.