A message from the parents of Jake Wetchler class of 2012

On Oct. 15, Jake Wetchler, class of 2012, passed away after a long battle with leukemia.  Jake came to Clark in the Fall of 2008. He was with us for most of last year until he became ill again. And, after a very valiant fight, he died peacefully. 

Many people have asked Jake's parents, Jean and Jon, where they would like donations sent in Jacob's memory.  Here is their response:

"We've taken some time to respond because we wanted to be sure that this outpouring of generosity is directed to a cause that would be meaningful to Jake.  One of the things that Jake made clear to us was that he considered cancer not just a disease but an injustice. He wanted to do something that would prevent other kids from ever having to go through what he did; specifically, he wanted to fund research and asked us to donate his own savings to that cause.

With Jake's desires in mind, we are establishing the Jake Wetchler Foundation for Innovative Pediatric Cancer Research. The purpose of the foundation is to help achieve breakthrough advances in one or both of the following areas: 

• Understanding the causes of pediatric cancer and preventing children and young adults from contracting cancer in the first place;
• Developing innovative techniques for the treatment of pediatric cancer that will have a  major impact on survival rates and/or reduce the suffering experienced by patients during and after treatment.  

What will be unique about this foundation as compared to other established cancer-fighting organizations is that it will enable scientists to pursue novel ideas that would be difficult to fund through traditional sources. 

With help from a scientific advisory board, we will further refine these goals, but the desired impact will remain the same: to reduce suffering and help prevent cancer from robbing children and young adults of their futures and their promise. 

We are in the process of setting up a not-for-profit organization so that contributions will be tax-deductible. Checks can be made out to "The Jake Wetchler Foundation for Innovative Pediatric Cancer Research" and sent to us at 401 Sherry Way, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034. 

Jake was a fighter. We thank you for helping us to continue this fight in his honor."

 

Jean and Jon Wetchler