FLORIDA —
During the month of September, Action News Jax is teaming up with the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund, bringing awareness to childhood cancer.
Local 5-year-old Kasey Ladd said she’s already picked her career path — a zookeeper.
She has already been through more than many face in a lifetime.
Her mother Jessica Ladd told Action News Jax, “You would never think that you’re going to be a cancer parent, until you hear the words that your child has cancer.”
Each year 300,000 kids around the world are diagnosed with childhood cancer — 100 of those patients are in Jacksonville.
Jessica said the diagnosis takes a toll.
She described it as, “Emotionally draining, physically draining, financially draining.”
She said The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund stepped in to help cover her costs, and allows families to enjoy time away from treatment.
Action News Jax is partnering with the foundation to “Go Gold” for childhood cancer awareness in September.
Jessica said, “These kids are our future. It’s not rare, it’s not as rare as you would think.”
Kasey is in remission, but that’s not the case for hundreds of local kids.
“The more awareness that we get for it, the more funding. Awareness equals funding,” said Jessica.
She added that the funding of research is what will get more kids on the track to remission.
To learn more about The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund visit: https://tcjayfund.org/