For family.
By family.
We’re a 501c3 nonprofit organization that brings hope and joy to children and families affected by pediatric diseases. Brenna & Chris Messana, with the help of their family, started this foundation in 2014 in memory of their brother JJ. JJ was 27 years old when he passed away after battling pediatric cancer for eight years.
JJ’s story is incredible.
Meet JJ
Jerry “JJ” Messana grew up in Monmouth County, NJ. He attended CBA and Monmouth University. Within months of starting at MU, he was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. Despite his diagnosis, Jerry never let his cancer stop him. While undergoing countless rounds of chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries, he managed to graduate Monmouth University and best of all, marry his college sweetheart. Although JJ was 20 years old when he was diagnosed, Memorial Sloan Kettering placed him on the pediatric floor due to the nature of his diagnosis. JJ and his family spent 8 years in the pediatric wing of the hospital watching newborns, infants, children, and teens battle cancer. This was an eye opening and life changing experience.JJ, being an older “kid” in the hospital, would try to make every younger child smile, a cause Friends of JJ is pursuing to this day.
When JJ passed in 2014, the Messana family decided to start Friends of JJ to continue JJ’s efforts to make these children SMILE!