About Us

Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services mission is to improve the quality of life for children with cancer and support their families in the challenges they face.

 

How It All Began…

It all started with little Jacob and his family. At just five years old, Jacob was diagnosed with cancer; in an instant life changed forever. Days learning and playing were replaced with weeks in the hospital enduring needle pokes and hours of cancer treatment. In addition, since there is no pediatric oncology facility in our area, his family had to travel over 60 miles one way for his treatments.

In February of 1998, Jacob’s Heart was founded to improve the quality of life for children with cancer and support their families in the challenges they face.

Jacob’s Heart has now helped over 360 families by providing bilingual individual, group and bereavement counseling; support groups for children with cancer, their siblings and parents; art therapy; financial assistance; resources & referrals, and a special celebrations program for our children. We reduce stress, provide comfort and practical support. We give families a place to feel at home.

We are thrilled to report that Jacob’s treatment was a success! By the 3rd grade he was thriving, an excellent reader & a whiz at math flash cards.  Jacob, our namesake, turned 18 years old in 2010 and continues to be a role model for the power of support, hope, possibility and love.

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We are a local, one-of-kind grassroots organization. Our support services extend to families with children under 18 diagnosed with cancer within the counties of Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito and South Santa Clara.

Jacob’s Heart provides emotional, social and financial assistance to children with cancer and their families.

Our programs include:

  • Bilingual Counseling and Support Groups for siblings, teens, parents and bereaved families;
  • Direct Financial Assistance with household bills, fuel costs, groceries and memorials;
  • Resource Center providing parents with materials on best ways to contribute to the care of their child;
  • Art from the Heart giving families a creative outlet for self expression utilizing art in the healing process; and
  • Celebrations and Milestones honoring the important events in the lives of the special children we serve.