Joyful Experience Team
Inspired by David Justus, who died after a nearly two-year battle with glioblastoma, JET seeks to create joyful experiences for families struggling with brain cancer, a chance to enhance their lives with experiences that are rich in love and will be treasured for all time. To Learn more visit the JET Home page.
JET ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS:
Spring 2025
Thanks to Mad Man Entertainment, JET was able to receive a portion of the proceeds from a Syracuse concert featuring BUNT., Dzeko, and others. At the concert JET founder Oliver Justus was given the chance to speak about JET.
Spring 2025
JET hosted a bake sale to raise money for future joyful experiences for families coping with brain cancer. Countless JET volunteers came together to bake and help out, with all proceeds going directly toward future JET events.
Winter 2024-2025
This Winter, JET was able to take Noah, a 10 year old boy who lost his firefighter dad to Glioblastoma brain cancer to the Knicks vs. Thunder game and he was able to watch pre-game warmups and he met former Knick Isaiah Hartenstein. This was made possible through Knicks superfan and influencer Anthony Donahue, who has also been deeply affected by brain cancer.
Winter 2024-2025
For the second year in a row, JET took over 50 family members impacted by cancer to the Big Apple Circus. JET assembled goodie bags full of food, drinks, and toys, including red noses for everyone, and greeted families with big handmade signs welcoming them to the circus.
Fall 2024
In Fall 2024, JET created care packages that were mailed to over 60 cancer patients and survivors at Mount Sinai Hospital. As a follow-up, JET also organized donated items such as hand-knit blankets, books and toiletries to be distributed to inpatients and outpatients on the oncology service at Mount Sinai Hospital.
SUMMER 2024
In Summer 2024, JET sent Dallas and his family and friends to a Staten Island Ferry Hawks minor league baseball game. They had a luxury suite that accommodated eighteen people, and they used the opportunity to celebrate Dallas’ fifth birthday. The suite was filled with family-friendly food and drinks, as well as Staten Island Ferry Hawks merchandise for everyone in attendance.
Dallas got to take the mound and throw out the first pitch, while the crowd heard his courageous story of cancer survival. He also received a signed ball from a former New York Yankee. Although he is normally shy according to his mom, he came out of his shell for this experience. She said, “His previous birthday, marked by the uncertainty and fear of his upcoming brain surgery, felt worlds away as we watched him smile and enjoy this special night.” JET looks forward to sending another deserving family to this experience next Summer as we make it an annual tradition!
WINTER 2023-24
JET secured Big Apple Circus tickets for forty two people from many distinct family groups. The tickets were a mixture of donated and purchased tickets. In addition, JET bought supplies and compiled goody bags for all attendees with red noses, light-up sticks, and fun treats to enjoy during the show. There were many in attendance for whom this was their first time at the circus. We know they loved seeing the show under the Big Top! One family shared “During the show there were numerous occasions that my husband and I just looked at our daughter watching the acts because, that was the gift that we were there with her and seeing her joy. Thank you for the experience that will be a memory in our lifetime…”
FALL 2023
JET took four families (eleven people) to the Nets game. We provided money for transportation and food, and we treated all the kids in each family to Nets merchandise. The tickets were donated by the Brooklyn Nets to support JET’s mission of providing joyful experiences to families who are suffering with cancer diagnoses. A fun night was had by all! As one mom told us: “Thanks for a great night! The boys were very determined to wear their gear today to go to school. I’m sure their friends will hear all about last night. Stay safe and thanks again!”
SUMMER 2023
JET took a family coping with the brain cancer diagnosis (for the second time) of their young adult son to a Yankees game. The Yankees were so gracious, supporting JET in providing amazing seats and access to food for the entire family. JET provided funds so that the family could purchase Yankees merchandise and pay for their parking, and we sent them some beautiful pictures that we took of them at Yankee Stadium. They told us that having this experience as a family and enjoying a fun night out together was extremely meaningful for them as they go through this heart-wrenching experience.
SPRING 2023
JET celebrated Go Gray in May at Wagner Middle School. May is brain tumor awareness month, and it is represented by the color gray (as in gray matter). JET raised awareness about brain tumors among classmates, teachers, and administrators (who all wore gray ribbons in solidarity), and we hosted a snack sale to raise money to support JET events for families coping with cancer. All of these proceeds will go directly to deserving families who need to create Joyful Experiences!
SPRING 2023
The JET team created a joyful experience for a 7-year-old brain cancer patient and her mom to see the Gazillion Bubble Show on Broadway. Through generous donations, the JET team provided:
- Front row seats to the show
- Round-trip VIP transportation
- Bubble merch – tee shirts and a bubble maker
- Lunch after the show at a restaurant of their choice
- Their favorite snacks to eat during the performance
The patient’s mom shared: “Thanks again for everything!! Kay had a wonderful time and loved every minute! I’m beyond grateful and appreciative!”
WINTER 2022-23
The JET team created a joyful experience for a 19-year-old cancer patient and her family to root for their favorite hockey team, the NY Islanders, at a home game. Through generous donations in collaboration with Making Headway, the JET team coordinated:
- Great seats to a game
- Islanders Merch, including the jersey of her favorite player along with cozy Islanders socks, hat, and sweatpants
- Food and drinks at the game
During our zoom call, the patient’s mom commended JET on the great work and expressed her deep appreciation. She followed up with an email: “I just wanted to make sure you know how thankful I am for what the boys did for Adrianna. That was so, so nice. You are all a wonderful group of boys and mothers. It was nice meeting you all. Thank you for making Adrainna feel so special.”
WINTER 2022
The JET team created a joyful experience for an 11-year-old cancer patient and his family at Madison Square Garden. Through generous donations from the Garden of Dreams, and monies raised via their school community, family, and friends, the JET team met the family and provided a VIP experience including:
- Sitting courtside to watch the New York Knicks and the Toronto Raptors warm up
- Full access to the Delta Club for complementary food and drinks
- Personalized Knicks jerseys for the whole family and additional money to purchase gear of their choosing
- Personalized Christmas stockings stuffed with gifts for the whole family, including NBA2K2023 and a beautiful family-picture ornament
- Transportation reimbursement
Our Knicks liaison shared: “You guys are the true heroes. You’re able to connect families…with experiences like never before. The real shout out goes to Oliver and his friends for continuing to drive the JET mission.”
SPRING 2022
The JET team created a joyful experience for a 15 year old brain cancer patient and his family at Yankees Stadium. Through generous donations from the Yankees organization, their school community, family and friends, the JET team provided:
- Field level seats in the Legends Suite with unlimited food and drinks
- Transportation reimbursement
- A gift card to buy Yankees gear for the whole family
- A private tour of the grounds and the museum
- A welcome message for them on the Jumbotron
- Custom shirts with their names and the Yankees logo
- An enlarged, framed photo of the family to commemorate their special experience.
The patient’s mom shared: “Thank you so much for all you have done for us. We are grateful !”
For more information, or to get involved, please contact Rachel Justus at rachjustus@yahoo.com.
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