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Partners in Hope: Jessica

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Teams are the most integral parts of PCRF’s annual Reaching for the Cure event. To put it all into perspective, 118 teams with over 2,000 team members raised over $200,000 in 2019 – that’s a lot of hours of leading-edge research! Ranging from corporations to families, to local schools – all teams share our vision of a world without pediatric cancer.

Jessica Ishak has been participating in PCRF’s Reaching for the Cure event for the past 7 years. She is a current member of the event’s planning committee, also known as the “Hope Squad”, and has been part of two Reaching for the Cure teams. Through these two teams, she has helped raise over $50,000 for pediatric cancer research!

Jessica has a history of making a difference. “I’ve felt very fortunate in life and I give back as much as I can,” said Jessica. “I ran the community outreach program at my previous company for several years, where we held 10-12 community outreach events a year. Throughout my career, I have worked with over 30 charities and PCRF is one of my favorites.”

What makes Jessica passionate about helping kids with cancer goes back to someone she knew personally. “When I was 16 years old, a friend of mine was diagnosed with a brain tumor and passed away within months”, said Jessica. “Watching him go through what he went through was very difficult. One of the things that I remember most is that, through it all, the doctors and nurses were amazing. They made a difference in my life and I want to help in any way that I can.”

When we asked why she supports PCRF she said, “PCRF is a family. I have always been in awe of how well they know each and every volunteer, donor and person affected by cancer that walks through their doors.”

“Everyone knows someone who is affected by cancer. Wouldn’t it be great to be a part of finding the cure? PCRF is fighting to find that cure.”

She makes fundraising a team effort and enjoys getting other involved. “When I was a part of Team Kennedy, we held a raffle for employees. As a committee, we asked employees for donations to help the cause. We raffled off lunches with executives, a vacation day, an ice cream party, Angels tickets, and more. We ordered pizzas and held the raffle in our conference room at lunch for anyone that wanted to come. It was so much fun and all for a great cause! We raised over $1000. “I love giving back and encouraging others to as well.”

Jessica says, “hope means never giving up.”

 

Participating in the Reaching for the Cure event is greater than the miles ahead of you. Your race is saving lives. You can help us make a difference! To register for the Reaching for the Cure Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and Kids Run or make a donation, visit: www.reachingforthecure.org.

 

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