BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — Rain did not deter area residents from coming out to honor Jack Rollins at the Bridgeport Recreation Complex Friday.
Lanterns and luminaries were lit in memory of Jack, with a special appearance from Spiderman, Jack’s favorite superhero.
Jack’s mom, Brooke Rollins, said it was bittersweet to see so many come out to remember her son.
“It’s good therapy for me and my family because we enjoy seeing that people are still saying his name, still letting him inspire then and keeping the legacy alive,” she said. “It’s been pretty overwhelming for us.”
Now one year after Jack’s June 19, 2016 passing following a courageous battle with neuroblastoma, the family has started a new foundation in his memory.
“When Jack was sick, there were just a lot of gaps that weren’t filled, as far as things that the families needed,” Rollins said. “I was just on a mission to make sure that if something were to happen to Jack, that I would do something in his honor to help these families.”
The Jack Strong Foundation aims to help the families of children like Jack, by assessing needs and providing financial aid and awareness.
“Mainly, we want to help these families with finances and stuff because a lot of stuff’s not covered,” she said. “Once you relapse and go out of state, you have a lot of expenses. Insurance doesn’t cover clinical trials and such. But I wanted to make sure that they didn’t have this financial burden on them to keep from being able to get their child the best treatment.”
Rollins said she hopes the Foundation will also be able to help organizations such as Child Life that help children and families cope with illness through toys, hospital visits and general comfort.
“They miss out on being kids,” she said. “I want to do things to be able to help bring a smile to their face as well.”
While in and out of hospitals, Jack made a point to visit with other children, complete in a superhero costume, to bring a smile to their face.
“That’s what we need to continue to do because that’s what he would want,” Rollins said. “We hope that everyone gets on board with us, and do big things.”
Visit www.jackstrong.org to learn more about the Jack Strong Foundation.