Tag Archives: tom coughlin

Tom Coughlin Jay Fund
#HipNJ Cares

A Day at MetLife Stadium with the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund

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The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund recently invited fifty special families to experience MetLife Stadium as a VIP for its annual Stadium Tour & Sundae Blitz! Attendees of this once-in-a-lifetime experience got to roam the New York Giants locker room, try on equipment, and posed for photos wearing Super Bowl rings.

The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund, founded in 1996 in honor of former Boston College football player Jay McGillis by legendary NFL head coach Tom Coughlin, helps families tackle childhood cancer by providing financial, emotional and practical support. Since its inception, it has granted $11 million to 5,000 families with children suffering from cancer. #HipNJ‘s Lisa Marie Latino spoke with some of the members that make up this vibrant community.

“Our slogan is that we want to “Be There” for families,” explains Mary Jane Pulzello, program director for the foundation. “We want to give them a couple hours to forget about cancer and have fun.”

One of the standout children on hand was Patrick Baumann, winner of two college scholarships by the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund and the New York Giants. Patrick recently graduated from Fordham Preparatory School in New York City where he was a co-captain of the Varsity Squash team. Patrick was born three days prior to the attacks on 9/11 and has lived his whole life just a few blocks from Ground Zero. In 2009, he was diagnosed with Stage IV Wilm’s Tumor.

“I’m so appreciative of the Jay Fund’s support and the opportunities they provide,” says Patrick, who will be attending Penn State University in the fall (cancer-free!)

For more information and to donate to the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund, visit TCJayFund.org.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
#HipNJ Cares, Charity

Powerhouse Charities Join Forces for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Former Vice President Joe and Dr. Jill Biden of the Biden Cancer Initiative (BCI), two-time Super Bowl winning coach and Executive Vice President of Operations for the Jacksonville Jaguars Tom Coughlin of the #HipNJ-based Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation and Grammy Award-winning band Imagine Dragons of the Tyler Robinson Foundation (TRF) have joined forces to deliver a powerful public service announcement (PSA) in support of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September.

Approximately 15,000 people under the age of 20 are diagnosed with some form of cancer each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – that’s 43 children diagnosed with cancer each day. Cancer does not discriminate and its impact has been felt in every community across the U.S. leaving a devastating emotional and financial toll on the families tackling the disease. The founders of each of these nonprofit organizations, BCI, the Jay Fund and TRF, have each been touched by cancer’s devastation having walked the journey with a child, a loved one, teammate, fan or friend

In coming together, the groups hope to generate greater awareness and support for families. In a joint statement, the group appeals to the public to join their cause: “In the spirit of Beau Biden, Jay McGillis, Tyler Robinson and all the courageous young people who have fought this disease, please help us make this month matter by supporting those who need it most. No one should fight childhood cancer alone.”

Beginning September 1, the PSA will be played on television outlets and in sporting venues across the nation. In addition to making a donation to BCI, the Jay Fund or TRF, there are other practical ways for individuals to support families and get involved in the cause including volunteering with a local pediatric cancer nonprofit.

BCI, the Jay Fund and TRF each fill separate, yet critically important, missions in supporting childhood cancer. BCI is accelerating progress in cancer research and care, making more therapies available to more patients, while working to detect and prevent the disease. The Jay Fund has touched more than 5,000 families through their cancer journeys providing more than $10 million in financial assistance to families in northeast Florida and the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. Since its inception just five years ago, TRF has raised in excess of $5.5 million to support more than 500 families across the U.S. battling childhood cancer by providing grants to offset the many unseen costs associated with treatment.

For more information or to learn how to get involved, visit BidenCancer.org, TCJayFund.org and TRF.org.

Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation
#HipNJ Cares, Across the River

Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation 13th Annual Champions for Children Gala

One of our favorite #HipNJ charities, the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation, hosted its 13th annual Champions for Children Gala on Friday, September 15 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, and we were there to chat with the patriarch of the organization, Coach Tom Coughlin! 

Legendary NBC 4 New York sports broadcaster Bruce Beck served as Master of Ceremonies, joined by “the voice” of the NY Giants, Bob Papa, and toasted the team members of the 2007 NY Giants Super Bowl Championship Team, accepted by Michael Strahan, all of whom are passionate advocates for childhood cancer patients and their families.

“On behalf of the 2007 Super Bowl Championship Team, it was an honor to accept this award from Coach Coughlin’s incredible foundation,” said Michael Strahan. “Coming together as a team to win the Super Bowl was an unbelievable experience; coming together as a team last night, during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, to support the many local families facing the unthinkable, is what teamwork is all about.”

The event kicked off a weekend of celebrations for the 2007 Big Blue team that captured one of the most legendary sports victories in history, when they defeated the 18-0 New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Ten year reunion events included an excursion to Yankees Stadium and a dinner at Ellis Island. 

For more information on the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation, visit their website.