The Jeremy Foundation, Inc. incorporated in June 23rd, 2003, was formed as a result of events that began much earlier.  In 1998, my nephew, Jeremy, was diagnosed with Ependymoma. Jeremy was 15 months old.

Ependymoma is a rare malignant brain tumor.   Only about 200 cases are diagnosed in the United States in children up to 25 years of age each year. This specific type of brain tumor accounts for 6-12% of brain tumors in children less than 18 years of age and 30% of brain tumors in children less than 3 years of age. The average age at diagnosis is between 4-6 years of age. The underlying cause and basic biology of these tumors is not fully understood, and the optimal staging and treatment of Ependymoma in children requires more study.

Jeremy required three brain surgeries and one spinal surgery. He was treated at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The hospital was an hour away from his home and that put additional financial burden on his family for gas, food and hotel bills. To help ease the family's financial burden, as they went through this trying time, I held my first fundraiser.

Jeremy passed away at the age of three.

My experience with my nephew's battle with his disease awakened my passion to fight cancer. To that end, I've started a foundation in my nephew's name - The Jeremy Foundation, Inc.. This foundation serves children from birth to age eighteen and their families who demonstrate a financial need, regardless of socio-economic status prior to diagnosis. The money raised by the Jeremy Foundation, Inc.  is provided to families in need specifically for additional expenses incurred due to their child's illness. We provide parking coupons, phone cards, assistance with hotel accommodations and gas cards. To identify families that need our help, the Jeremy Foundation, Inc. networks with a number of pediatric hospitals including John Hopkins, the University of Maryland and Children's Hospital in Washington, DC.

I am the Founder and President of the Jeremy Foundation, Inc. but I have also held the title of "Mrs. Frederick Country, Intl." Being Mrs. Frederick County, Intl. provided me opportunities to speak in front of different groups to raise awareness about this disease and raise funds to help the victims of the disease and their families.

The Jeremy Foundation, Inc.  is committed to providing financial assistance to families in need. It is a non-profit foundation funded solely through fundraiser's and corporate and personal donations. Each donation is used to support the work of the foundation - helping sick children and their families.

We are thankful for any and all donations as every donation makes a difference.