Goodbyes and See You Laters

Having walked alongside more than 90 families with a child dying of cancer, Jane’s Fund continues to be humbled each week by the privilege of helping families honor and celebrate their child during their final days on earth or their first days in heaven.

After bravely battling DIPG, an aggressive brain cancer, for just over a year, Melia has run out of treatment options. As her tumor grows, she is losing the ability to move and communicate. Last summer, her family cherished a Make-A-Wish trip to the beach. Now, relatives are traveling from near and far to celebrate her life and say goodbye. Jane’s Fund has been asked to provide food, party supplies, and all things FUN from Walmart—because Melia deserves to LIVE IT UP!

This week, Katelyn passed away from an ATRT tumor in her spinal cord. Her family chose “I love you’s,” hugs, cheers, and snuggles instead of goodbyes. Now, they are celebrating her life by sprinkling her ashes and sharing favorite memories. Jane’s Fund is honored to help with funeral expenses and provide living support until her grieving parents can return to work and care for Katelyn’s two devastated siblings.

Jane's Fund knows everyone has their unique way of saying goodbye, and that the pain of losing a child is more than the mind can comprehend. Yet in these moments, it is the love—both from family and strangers—and the hope of heaven that helps families keep going. 

Jane’s Fund needs your help to continue supporting families as they face the unimaginable.  

*Names and photos may be changed to protect a family's privacy.