Blue Horizons Fund at Dell Children's

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My Story

Dear Family and Friends,

My hope is that all of you are doing well! My thoughts and prayers go out to all individuals and families that have been affected by cancer & blood disorders. I wanted to share with you a small portion of my Cancer Story and some information about my cancer fund that I started through Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin, TX. The “Blue Horizons” fund was established in 2011 to help support the families at the Dell Children’s Blood & Cancer Center (CBCC). As you may already know, my personal connection with Cancer is that I am a 41 year survivor. I was diagnosed with Leukemia (ALL) when I was 17 months old (March 1, 1979). Cancer has been one of the defining moments of my life. I’m in the process of writing a book on how Cancer has and always will affect my life. More importantly, it helps me keep the right perspective towards life. The moment I take life for granted Cancer reminds me of how precious life is and how blessed I am to be here. Many people don't realize what they have before something like cancer changes their perspective on how they view life and what they take for granted every day. Every day is a blessing to be able to wake up and breathe another day. I've been blessed with a loving family and awesome friends around the world. I thank God for the opportunity that He has given me to experience life. “There are two great days in a person’s life, the 1st is the day you were born and the 2nd is the day that you discover what you were born for" - Mark Twain. I believe I am meant to share my Faith and Cancer story with others. Cancer increases my awareness of life everyday and reinforces my commitment to help others. My hope is that my personal cancer story can give Hope to others. Over the years, my life has revolved around my connection with Cancer. The treatments I received left me with cognitive issues, such as problems with memory, mental processing, attention and learning difficulties. I struggled throughout my school career but endured and graduated from Harding University in 2001 with a B.A. Degree in Kinesiology and a Minor in Health. I chose my Degree and Minor based on my experience with cancer and my desire to learn more about the human body and the science of exercise. I have also worked and volunteered for multiple non-profit cancer organizations. I’ve had the privilege of meeting and getting to know many amazing people through my cancer experience as well. Shortly after I met my wife Rosa, we soon realized we shared a personal connection to cancer. Rosa’s son, Roland Stautzenberger-26 (2011 University of TX graduate) is an 13 year survivor of Lymphoma. I invited a group of friends to an American Cancer Society “Relay for Life” where Rosa participated and we were able to share our stories and begin our connection. As a lifetime blood cancer survivor, I made a promise a long time ago that I’d do anything in my power to help kids go through what I went through. I moved to Austin, Texas in August 2006 where I worked and volunteered for the American Cancer Society. I also began volunteering with Dell Children’s (CBCC) in 2007 as a chaperone with the Hungry Bunch Teen Program – a support group for adolescent patients diagnosed with cancer or blood disorders. Rosa began volunteering in 2009. As a volunteer at CBCC, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know many of the teens/families, staff and other volunteers. Through this experience and seeing first-hand the financial struggles that families were facing during treatment, I realized their needs and it compelled me to want to help. That’s why I decided to start the Blue Horizons fund, to help provide financial assistance to kids and families going through a tough journey that I know well. Starting a cancer fund to help those in need has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. “Passion and Purpose are the energizing forces that fuel every great accomplishment.” My Passion is the fight against cancer because of my personal connection and my commitment to do all that I can to give back (share what I’ve learned from my cancer experiences). My Purpose is to help others that have been affected by cancer and blood disorders. The accomplishment is helping and meeting the needs of children and their families at CBCC. Hopefully my fund will have a long-lasting impact on the lives of the children/families and the support that they receive from my fund will give them Hope to endure through this challenging time. The experience will be life-changing and will show them that they can endure through any of life’s challenges that come their way. I want my fund to help lighten the burdens that these children are facing and help them focus on the “Horizon”, their families and healing. My goal is to also provide Hope by sharing my cancer story and supporting these families. Through advocacy, participating in events, volunteering, donating and research, I will help in any way that I can for as long as I live. Heroes are often defined as people who possess super powers, great athletic/musical abilities or leadership (role model) qualities. I have a few heroes like that myself but I think that the true heroes are people that have been affected by cancer & blood disorders. I support & fight for you! I believe that there is “Hope on the Horizon” and I will do whatever it takes to Help Other People Endure (Hope). I’ve had many friends and family members that have been affected by cancer & blood disorders, some who survived and some who lost the battle. Everything I do that involves cancer & blood disorders is in honor and memory of all that have been affected. “Hope on the Horizon!” Jesse Jordan Founder, Blue Horizons Fund @ Dell Children’s Medical Center http://www.supportdellchildrens.org/bluehorizons