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    12-year-old girl who blogged cancer fight has died

    Associated Press – Fri, Jan 6, 2012

    RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif. (AP) — A Southern California girl who became a nationally recognized face of child cancer with a blog that chronicled her fight against brain tumors has died. Jessica Joy Rees was 12 years old.

    Jessica's family announced her death on her Facebook page, stating that her 10-month battle with brain cancer ended Thursday. Tens of thousands of people responded by posting updates to the page in a show of support that includes "likes" and prayers.

    By Friday afternoon the outpouring surpassed Jessica's goal to get one "like" for each of the estimated 50,000 American children with cancer.

    The Orange County seventh-grader, called "Jessie" by family and friends, began her blog and Facebook page after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in March. A second tumor was discovered in September.

    While some of her posts discussed her struggles as she underwent radiation and chemotherapy treatments, others urged readers in dozens of countries to support pediatric cancer research and to pray for other children with the illness.

    She always signed her posts with the acronym "NEGU" (NEE'-goo), short for "never ever give up."

    Also, she and her parents started The NEGU Foundation, a nonprofit organization to raise awareness of pediatric cancer, support sufferers and raise money for research.

    The foundation sold and provided thousands of "JoyJars" stuffed with candy and toys to sick children. More than 3,000 were sold and distributed in 27 states last year, according to the NEGU website.

    After her diagnosis, Rancho Santa Margarita youngster received tickets to "American Idol" and arrived with signs that read "NEGU Casey" to support contestant Casey Abrams, the Orange County Register (http://bit.ly/yJwyF3) reported.

    Co-host Ryan Seacrest also allowed her to announce country singer, and eventual winner, Scott McCreery.

    Jessica wrote on Facebook that her mission was "to encourage kids fighting cancer to Never Ever Give Up by spreading hope, joy and love. A cheerful heart is great medicine."

    A celebration service was scheduled for Wednesday at the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, where her father, Erik Rees, is a pastor.

    ___

    Online: http://www.facebook.com/jessicajoyrees

     
    • R E D O X
      R E D O X  •  4 mths ago
      Remarkably brave little girl ! She managed to help others during her time here , not many of us can make claim to that honor !
      • donna r
        donna r 4 mths ago
        you will be truly missed but the lord
        is waiting with open arms
      • Madmarv
        Madmarv 4 mths ago
        REDOX,I couldn't have said this better myself.She will truely be missed.PEACE.
      • jerry
        jerry 4 mths ago
        Yes Jesus loves you & the bible tells me so.
    • Paul
      Paul  •  Hong Kong, Hong Kong  •  4 mths ago
      Our Cassaandra (3 years old) has so far beaten a dangerious brain tumor. After chemotherapy and radiation (and 10 MRI's since) her ependoma has not come back. today, we are off to go swimming and enjoy life! NEGU
      • Friend
        Friend 4 mths ago
        hydrogen peroxide, food grade. check it out...
      • ering
        ering 4 mths ago
        That is all you can do for your child-keep it as normal as you can. I'm sure it will be hard, but for her sake, make every day beautiful.
      • ThatsAFact
        ThatsAFact 4 mths ago
        Cancer in kids is TOTALLY preventable and standard cut/burn/poison treatment is mega-profitable to big business but archaic and not as effective as many other country approaches but if I tell you how or tell you where the proof is it gets censored by BIG BROTHER so I'll shut up. You are all being encouraged to keep dumping "research money" in a big black hole so just keep doing that and "hoping"..sad..
    • brook
      brook  •  4 mths ago
      cancer is brutal no matter the age, but so hard when it is a child.
      • D
        D 4 mths ago
        Why the hell are there 3 dislikes?
      • Annie
        Annie 4 mths ago
        Also so hard when it is your own child.
      • FlyinRightSide
        FlyinRightSide 4 mths ago
        Trolls, D.
    • Et tu Brute
      Et tu Brute  •  4 mths ago
      Kiss your kids tonight and be thankful for the simple things in life.

      RIP, Jessie.
      • A Yahoo! User 4 mths ago
        :)
      • Beast
        Beast 4 mths ago
        What kind of low life loser would even think about giving this a thumbs down. People sicken me. Godspeed Jessie.
      • namvet
        namvet 4 mths ago
        Amen, Brute. Beautiful comment.
    • Debbie
      Debbie  •  Austin, Texas  •  4 mths ago
      what a brave little girl. I must admit,as an adult i dont know how i would take that kind of news if i were i didnt have a chance to survive. I say this because there are so many children out there that have taught me so many lessons in their short lives about what it really means to care for others and have so much hope,and to be so brave. Godspeed and prayers to her family. I hope her foundation thrives in every way possible.
      • Tommy
        Tommy 4 mths ago
        That is why Jesus told us that unless we "become as little children" we will not enter into the kingdom of Heaven. You are so right, children teach us more than we'll admit to. They are the most innocent, humble, loving of all mankind. They don't hold any grudges, they easily forgive, they love without question, they spread love and joy no matter what the circumstances, sometimes without even knowing that they've put a smile on our faces. Children truely are a blessing from God. Sometimes though, God calls them back home. It is sad for us, but not for them. Be ye as little children!
      • Lightfoot
        Lightfoot 4 mths ago
        Debbie and Tommy a thousand thumbs up
    • Work1ders
      Work1ders  •  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania  •  4 mths ago
      Lots of work for so short a time to do what is needed. What an inspiration! Godspeed, child!
    • Magee
      Magee  •  Salt Lake City, Utah  •  4 mths ago
      Nothing bothers me more than to see a child suffer and die from cancer........
    • messed up world!
      messed up world!  •  4 mths ago
      Support the work of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital!
    • Musical Mom
      Musical Mom  •  4 mths ago
      My heart goes out to Jessica's family and friends. She was so brave.
    • John Doe the Troll
      John Doe the Troll  •  4 mths ago
      A story like this really makes you understand just how precious life is. I can't help but imagine the huge void in my life had it been my own daughter, who happens to be same age as Jessie.
    • Mike L
      Mike L  •  4 mths ago
      I hope a day comes when cancer can be defeated or at least managed as a chronic disease. We have put a man on the moon..we have fantastic smart phones and computers etc.. It's time we defeat cancer!
    • NOTAYANKEEFAN
      NOTAYANKEEFAN  •  St Paul, Minnesota  •  4 mths ago
      I don't understand why people would thumb down people's compassionate comments. I feel for this little girl's family's heartbreak. How many thumbs down am I gonna get for having some compassion?
    • Kathryn
      Kathryn  •  Milwaukee, Wisconsin  •  4 mths ago
      I can't stand it when people announce that someone "lost their battle" with cancer. This little girl didn't loose anything. She was a winner all the way. As are all of those out there that battle cancer (and any illness) so courageously.
      God Bless Jessica! Prayers to her family and friends.
    • Harley
      Harley  •  4 mths ago
      Rest in peace little one; you've managed to touch more lives in your short 12 years than many of us will in a 'full' lifetime.
    • Hobson Victim
      Hobson Victim  •  4 mths ago
      Wonderful child and great loss. One of my neighbors had a child with brain tumor. She fought from 14 till 28 and finally went on ahead. Amazing how tough some of the meekest among us turn out to be.
    • Rain
      Rain  •  4 mths ago
      Comments are sometimes truly negative & ugly. I think from unhappy people. She did more in 12 years than many will do if they live to be 100. Rest in peace little angel. May The NEGU Foundation grow and continue to help people. Love in action is what life is all about. If you don't have that type of peace, then there is still time for you to find it.

      "never ever give up."
    • Jazziones
      Jazziones  •  4 mths ago
      Poor sweet baby. Rest in peace sweetheart.
    • LORDYBSMD
      LORDYBSMD  •  4 mths ago
      sad sad sad
    • Asim
      Asim  •  Cincinnati, Ohio  •  4 mths ago
      May her soul rest in peace. My prayers are with her family during this difficult time.
    • Elliot
      Elliot  •  Pompano Beach, Florida  •  4 mths ago
      I am an Atheist, but can understand the comfort that many feel from a believe in God. I am truly amazed at the lack of compassion and tolerance that so many non-believers show to basically good people. May she rest in peace. She was an inspiration to all people.
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