6-year-old battling neuroblastoma raises money for others impacted by cancer

Alisha Saint-Ciel, The Enterprise
·4 min read

BRIDGEWATER – Local 6-year-old boy Jase Russell, who is battling cancer, is selling lemonade to friends, family and neighbors to help other families affected by cancer.

In 2019, Russell was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a type of cancer found in children under 5 years old that affects adrenal glands and nerve tissue. He has gone through several treatments in many different states, including chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy.

But despite the vigorous treatments, Russell still finds a way to enjoy life. He loves to play with his toy trains and watch documentaries about them. The young boy can even differentiate which trains make what sound and their different parts. He even brought one of his doctors a train to keep in her office.

Jase Russell, 6, is battling neuroblastoma, a type of cancer found in children under 5 years old that affects adrenal glands and nerve tissue. The community of Bridgewater has rallied together and raised over $6,000 dollars in partnership with Rockland Trust Bank and Tommy's Place for their second annual lemonade stand to raise money for families affected by childhood cancer.

This year Russell will start first grade, and like any other 6-year-old, is excited to play with friends and feel the sun beaming on him during recess.

Cancer will not steal Jase's happiness

"If I could describe Jase in one word, it would be happy. He's so joyful and full of life. You would think after everything he's gone through, he would have some type of anger or resentment, but he's a happy-go-lucky kid," said Danielle Russell, mother of Jase. "All the doctors and nurses love him, and he's happy to be there in the hospital; he's always happy."

Jase, on a basic level, understands what cancer is. He knows there are harmful germs in his body that doctors are trying to cure. Danielle and Josh Russell try to limit the verbiage when explaining the diagnosis to their son, so as not to scare him.

Where the journey of fundraising started

The family shares updates about his cancer journey on a public Facebook page called "Jase Train." They created the page to bring awareness about neuroblastoma and childhood cancers, and to help fund research and ultimately a cure.

Community supporters line up to bring more awareness to Neuroblastoma a type of cancer found in children under 5 years old that affects adrenal glands and nerve tissue. Jase Russell a six year old battling Neuroblastoma hosted the event in collaboration with The Rockland Trust Bank and Tommy's Place for their second annual lemonade stand to raise money for families affected by childhood cancer.

He has been receiving treatment at Boston Children's Hospital, which has a neuroblastoma program through its cancer and blood disorder center with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Lemonade stand brings out community

The community has been a big help for the family and raised over $10,000 since the start of the fundraising in 2021. They started with a May golf tournament which raised $4,000, and a day full of fun raffles, food, and cocktails.

Drink options of blueberry lemonade straight from Russell's blueberry bush growing in their yard, and regular lemonade. The family hosted the Rockland Trust Bank and Tommy's Place second annual lemonade stand to raise money for families affected by childhood cancer.
Drink options of blueberry lemonade straight from Russell's blueberry bush growing in their yard, and regular lemonade. The family hosted the Rockland Trust Bank and Tommy's Place second annual lemonade stand to raise money for families affected by childhood cancer.

This year the family partnered with Rockland Trust Bank and Tommy's Place for their second annual lemonade stand to raise money for families impacted by childhood cancer. All funds raised will be donated to Tommy's Place, a local nonprofit that provides families affected by childhood cancer with magical, expense-paid vacations.

The Russell family hosted the lemonade stand this year at their Bridgewater home, giving the neighborhood a taste of freshly squeezed lemons with organic blueberries picked from their home. Customers had options from blueberry lemonade, regular lemonade, blueberry squares, jams, and all types of delicious homemade treats.

So far, the family has raised $6,000 from the lemonade stand and hopes to keep raising more.

Homemade goods created by the Russell family to raise money for children with childhood cancer. July 28,2023
Homemade goods created by the Russell family to raise money for children with childhood cancer. July 28,2023

Their personal goal was to raise $4,000 as the number four is a very significant number for them.

"More than four," Danielle said.

These three words mean a lot to the family. Simply because only 4% of government funding goes to childhood cancer research, Danielle said.

More: West Bridgewater rallies around 'joyful' 4-year-old Jase during cancer treatment

The family wanted to raise more than they did at the golf tournament, and the lemonade stand exceeded their expectation.

Homemade goods created by the Russell family to raise money for children with childhood cancer. July 28,2023
Homemade goods created by the Russell family to raise money for children with childhood cancer. July 28,2023

"Our community is so supportive of Jase and his journey. All we have to do is post, and they will come," Danielle said.

The social media page has created a fan base for Jase called the Jase Train, and they're always up to date on what Jase is doing.

"I'm not a big social media person, but it's a way to keep family members and the community up to date on what's going on," Danielle said.

In many ways, the social media page is therapeutic, and the support from everyone has been amazing, she said.

Looking ahead

As for the future, the family hopes the treatments will keep working, and Jase will finally be cleared and stay free of cancer. So far, Jase has been cleared three times, and the cancer has come back. The family will not let this discourage them as their hope for better days to come with new experimental treatments.

Jase Russell, 6, getting a hair cut. Russell is battling Neuroblastoma a type of cancer found in children under 5 years old that affects adrenal glands and nerve tissue. He previously was bald due to his cancer treatments but now has grown a full head of blonde locks which his mothers said he will keep. July 21, 2023.
Jase Russell, 6, getting a hair cut. Russell is battling Neuroblastoma a type of cancer found in children under 5 years old that affects adrenal glands and nerve tissue. He previously was bald due to his cancer treatments but now has grown a full head of blonde locks which his mothers said he will keep. July 21, 2023.

Jase has grown a full head of blonde hair and will keep it, his mother said.

No matter what he's going through, he still puts on a brave face and tackles the world with humility, love, and happiness. Cancer could never break Jase's spirit, she said.

Jase Russell enjoying an evening out with his family holding flowers. The young boy who will be in first grade in September loves trains and watching documentaries about them. July 21, 2023.
Jase Russell enjoying an evening out with his family holding flowers. The young boy who will be in first grade in September loves trains and watching documentaries about them. July 21, 2023.

How to help

To contact the family about donations, please email chippinginforejase@gmail.com or venmo @danielle-russell-122. Another way you can help is by donating blood, Danielle said.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Jase Russell's lemonade stand helping families affected by cancer.