Mayor Lenny Curry proclaimed September 25th as Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Day in Jacksonville

Tom Coughlin created the Jay Fund over 20 years ago to help children and families suffering from childhood cancer.

The foundation is in honor of a former athlete, named Jay, Coughlin coached at Boston College. Jay had cancer for 8 months, and passed away.

Coach Coughlin wanted to do something that would not only honor Jay, but change the lives of kids fighting cancer.

“There are over 500 thousand families who have Jay to thank for their emotional and financial support,” Coughlin said.

Right now 300 children are battling cancer in Jacksonville and dozens more will be diagnosed.

The Jay Fund helps with finances or a day out for families to get their mind off of trying times.

Action News Jax with support from all four family focus partners celebrated The Jay fund’s work by visiting children at Wolfson Children’s Hospital.

The Jay Fund has donated around $10 million dollars helping 5,000 families in northeast Florida.

“Jay’s life became a miracle for others, and Jay’s life was not in vain and because of Jay’s battle we were inspired to work as a team to help others going through this terrible experience,” Coughlin said.

Cox Media Group