[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 152 (Tuesday, October 20, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2584]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE JACOB MICHAEL DAVIS FOUNDATION 4TH ANNUAL EVENT

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                         HON. CANDICE S. MILLER

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 2009

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge 
the Jacob Michael Davis Foundation located in Macomb County, Michigan. 
This non-profit organization was created in the loving memory of 7-year 
old Jacob Michael Davis, who sadly passed away in 2005 after a hard 
fought battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
  The organization will be hosting its 4th Annual Banquet and 
Fundraiser on November 14th in Shelby Township, so I want to highlight 
the great work the foundation has performed over the few short years 
since its inception.
  The foundation has carried forward Jacob's legacy--his giving spirit 
and his unique ability to comfort other young patients while he himself 
was seeking medical treatment. The foundation has also picked up his 
torch of hope as it continues to spread his light of compassion and 
pass his courage on to other families who unfortunately have had to 
cope with childhood cancer. Although based in the State of Michigan, 
the Jacob Michael Davis Foundation has extended its helping hand across 
this great nation, from coast to coast and places in between.
  The effects of any childhood illness can be devastating on a family. 
The emotional and financial distress can leave a mother and father 
feeling like they have no options, and sometimes even worse with a 
negative outlook on the future. With so many variables to deal with, 
families can easily become overwhelmed and lose focus of the primary 
objective--the care, treatment and recovery of the child.
  But these fears and unknowns are exactly the reason why the Jacob 
Michael Davis Foundation was created. The foundation is a source of 
comfort to assist families with those unexpected financial burdens not 
necessarily covered by insurance. For example--travel and temporary 
housing expenses, medical equipment, mental health programs, academic 
and school tutoring support, post-treatment survivorship programs and 
bereavement counseling. These are just a few of the economic barriers 
that the foundation seeks to remove.
  The Foundation's goal is to help families keep their energies focused 
on the recovery and the healing of the child. Amazingly, the staff, 
volunteers and board members of the Jacob Michael Davis Foundation do 
not accept any form of monetary compensation, ensuring that every 
possible cent is spent to assist those families in need. This certainly 
speaks volumes about the people who believe in the foundation's mission 
and the remarkable work they have achieved, continue to achieve and 
hope to achieve in the future. It certainly is my honor to commend all 
the volunteers for their charitable and dedicated work.
  Furthermore, I am pleased to announce that last month I added my name 
as a cosponsor to H.R. 1230 which was introduced by my colleague, 
Representative Doris Matsui, from California. This legislation seeks to 
establish a National Acquired Bone Marrow Failure Disease Registry and 
authorize research on bone marrow diseases. I encourage other Members 
to support this bill and join in the fight to defeat this disease.
  In conclusion, I offer my support to the Jacob Michael Davis 
Foundation on this special occasion. I wish everyone in attendance all 
the best and hope you have a very successful evening. You are helping 
to sustain a wonderful cause. I know that in memory of Jacob you will 
never lose faith in your mission and your passion will be forever 
alive.

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