Gurnee’s Super Jake Foundation looks to expand its base
By Beth Kramer ekramer@stmedianetwork.com January 16, 2012 8:00PM
Ann and Matt Widman of Gurnee with a photo of their son Jake. Jake died at the age of 4 from cancer and the Widmans founded the Super Jake Foundation for cancer research. | Thomas Delany Jr~ Sun-Times Media
What: Red Cape Gala
When: Saturday, Feb. 25 from 6 p.m. to midnight
Where: Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe St., Chicago
Tickets/more info: thesuperjakefoundation.org
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Updated: March 17, 2012 1:33AM
GURNEE — Taylor Widman, 8, was very young when she lost her older brother Jake to a rare cancer in 2005.
She still remembers how he held her hand across their car seats and called her “babe.”
She also remembers that he was sick before he died.
“It was really hard. He was a really good older brother and I miss him a lot,” Taylor said.
Taylor is now the oldest surviving child, with younger siblings Parker, 5, and Riley, 3.
Taylor solicited more than $600 to support the cause her parents started in her brother’s name, The Super Jake Foundation.
Her parents, Ann and Matt Widman of Gurnee, have helped raise millions of dollars to support research for neuroblastoma, the cancer that Jake lost his battle to at age 4.
Jake was diagnosed with the cancer at age 3. It usually strikes children before age 5 and develops from the body’s nerve tissue.
He fought the cancer for more than a year, enduring more than 10 rounds of chemotherapy, months of radiation, four surgeries, three bone marrow transplants followed by 100 days of isolation in the hospital. He was declared to be in remission in February 2005.
Two months later, he relapsed and died May 27, 2005.
“We founded The Super Jake Foundation when he (Jake) was in remission, when we thought he would be one of the lucky ones (to survive). We wanted to do something to help,” Ann said.
They started The Super Jake Foundation to fund research for treatment and cures for neuroblastoma.
“What we found is ... very little is being done for pediatric cancer,” Ann said.
They decided to continue the foundation after Jake passed away and have expanded the proceeds to award “Hero Grants” to families who have a child diagnosed with neuroblastoma.
“About 70 percent of families with this declare bankruptcy. We do what we can to support them,” Ann said.
Why the superhero theme? Jake loved superheroes and usually wore superhero outfits while in the hospital. Superman and the Green Lantern were his favorites.
Hospital nurses nicknamed him Super Jake. The name was carried into the foundation, his parents said.
The foundation now has at least 100 volunteers who help run events, according to Super Jake Foundation Vice President Steve Moseley of Libertyville.
They are gearing up for the foundation’s largest annual fund-raiser. It used to be known as the Super Hero’s Bash and was held in the Lake County area.
This year, they are trying something new — The Red Cape Gala, a red-tie event, will be held in downtown Chicago.
“This event is our signature event. This is the event we spend a lot of time, energy and effort on,” Moseley said.
Attendance at the gala event is around 150 to 150 people, he estimated. The event has grown over the years.
“This is a grassroots effort started by family and friends. As time has gone on, people have recognized the foundation,” Moseley said. “Our hope is the event in downtown Chicago will help in the evolution of the foundation and the name of Super Jake cannot only be a staple in Lake County, but also can attract other folks.”
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