From Super Hero
To Super Warrior
From Super Hero
To Super Warrior
The Mission of the Jackson Scott Bates Foundation is to empower children, who have cancer, with Strength, to fight against a relentless opponent, Courage to face the scary and unknown, Hope that each day is one day closer to winning the fight, and Faith that miracles do and will happen; while bringing awareness of all of these children's journeys.
Jackson was diagnosed with Diffused Midline Glioma when he was 10 years old. Before that Jackson was just like most young boys, sweet, mischievous, kind, forgetful, fun, naughty, and all the other adjectives that describe any other youngster. Jackson loved to ride his bike, play video games, and swim. He loves animals, both real and stuffed. He liked school, specifically science and math, was a cub scout and crossed the bridge to become a boy scout. Just before Jackson became ill, he had found a passion for acting and performing after taking dance lessons and having a small part in the school play. Jackson has never met a stranger, never shy, always curious and always willing to offer help. Throughout Jackson's cancer journey he has maintained his wonderful sense of humor, shown an amazing positive attitude, but most of all an incredible outpouring of love and selflessness.
Jackson's family includes mom, Virginia; dad, Eric and little brother, Parker; and a large assortment of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Before Jackson became ill, his family was like most families; Mom and Dad worked, Jackson went to school, and Parker went to daycare. The family enjoyed sporting events, amusement parks, movies and spending time with friends and family. When Jackson was diagnosed with cancer, The Bates family's world changed. Mom quit her job to become Jackson's full-time care giver, Dad worked longer hours to provide for the family and Parker learned to adapt to a very new confusing world around him. Through Jackson's journey, the family has seen such an outpouring of love and support not only from family and friends but from strangers the world over. The generosity of so many has helped the family throughout this trying time.
When we were told that Jackson had cancer, one of my first thought was "how was I going to fix this?" Realistically, I knew that I couldn't change what was happening, but that I could only ease the pain. As Jackson's grandmother I felt I had to do something for Jackson and all the other children like him. These children have lost the innocence that should surround them during childhood, and I wanted to do something to give them back, even for just a few moments that joy of being a kid.
Years ago, in my craftiness, I made Jackson a superhero cape. With his excitement and encouragement, I started making all kinds of capes. CapeTastic was created. Over the years I have seen children transform from ordinary kids to mighty warriors that can conquer the meanest of villains, with eagerness and enthusiasm to face the unknown. Why not try to see if a cape might provide even an ounce of strength, a bit of courage, a glimmer of hope and moment of faith to a sick child. Sometimes the best medicine is not a drug or treatment, but the fighting spirit within.
Jackson has spent a great deal of time in the hospital since being diagnosed with brain cancer. During these stays we found that there are numerous programs for these kids to entertain and comfort them. Jackson has loved the many hours spent with the Child Life specialist, playing games, creating projects and elevating boredom. He also received countless pillows, stuffed animals, toys, book and such to both entertain and comfort him.
The one aspect that was lacking was encouragement. "Words" are easy to say; "be strong", "have courage", "keep the faith", "there is always hope"; but what child truly understands these concepts. Children need something tangible; something to relate too. Most every child knows of superheroes. Put on a superhero cape and leap tall buildings, conquer the universe and defeat arch villains.
The goals of The Jackson Scott Bates Foundation are to bring encouragement to children who have cancer, to empower them with inner qualities to face this disease, and to educate the public of these children's needs.
The JSBF will be donating "super warrior" capes to children who are receiving cancer treatment at local children's hospitals.
We will begin a monthly donation of Warrior Capes to Cook Children's Hospital. For your donation of $15, we can provide a child with a Warrior Cape. The cost to produce a Warrior cape is approximately $13.50
Your monetary donation will help pay for manufacturing Warrior capes. Our local children's hospital, Cooks Children's Hospital treats approximately 300 cancer patients per year. Our goal is to see that everyone of these children receive a cape this year. Our hope is to expand this to see that the estimated 15000 children that will be diagnosed with cancer in a year receive a cape.
Currently we accept donations through PayPal, and GoFundMe. If you would like to mail in a donation, you can send to: The Jackson Scott Bates Foundation, PO Box 14871, Haltom City, TX 76117. Please make the check payable to: The Jackson Scott Bates Foundation.
Buy a cape from the regular Capetastic line at etsy.com/shop/capetastic; or any event that Capetastic is at for any child and 20% of the selling price will be donated to the Jackson Scott Bates Foundation
When a child is diagnosied with cancer, the whole family is affected, the whole family fights. Slogans and tag lines are adopted. Create a family cape and wear to treatment, outings and fundraisers. Email or call and we will work out the details.
Have an idea for a fund raiser, let us know. We will be happy to help. Email or call and we would love to work with you.
Over 90% of the money donated goes to the actual production of the capes. We run the foundation frugally so that we can provide as many capes as possible to the kids.
The Jackson Scott Bates Foundation, Inc. is a 501C tax-exempt organization 84-3768584
• 43 children per day or 15,780 children per year are expected to be diagnosed with cancer.
• Childhood cancer is not one disease – there are more than 12 major types of pediatric cancers and over 100 subtypes.
• Cancer is the number one cause of death by disease among children.
• About thirty five percent of children diagnosed with cancer will die within 30 years of diagnosis.
• Since 1980, only four drugs have been approved in the first instance for use in children. This is compared with hundreds of drugs that have been developed specifically for adults only. Equally important, for many of the childhood cancers, the same treatments that existed in the 1970’s continue with few, if any, changes.
• In 2013 there were nearly 390,000 childhood cancer survivors in the United States. This number is projected to grow to more than 500,000 by 2020.
• More than 95% of childhood cancer survivors will have a significant health related issue by the time they are 45 years of age (2); these health related issues are side-effects of either the cancer or more commonly, the result of its treatment.
Source: Coalition Against Childhood Cancer (CAC2)
Awareness and EducationSeptember is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is a time when we celebrate advances in childhood cancer treatment and care, remember the children we've lost, and engage new advocates to join in our mission of achieving a day when every child with cancer can live a long and healthy life.