The Just Because Foundation, a non-profit Paediatric Cancer Support Organization located in Trinidad, was founded by Noel and Chevaughn Joseph who after an unrelenting battle lost their 5 1/2 year old son Jabez “JB” Joseph to Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of childhood cancer. The Just Because Foundation was birthed as a result. The JB Foundation opened its doors on August 2nd, 2007 which would have been Jabez’s 6th birthday.
The JB Foundation is dedicated to providing care and support for children with cancer. The foundation provides vital emotional, practical and social support for children with cancer and their families. Those services include supplying temporary accomodation for families who travel from remote areas in Trinidad and Tobago and from other Caribbean countries with their child for chemotherapy or radiation treatment in Trinidad. The JB Foundation also provides transportation to and from treatment centres. What makes this organization unique is that it is the only one of its kind in the English speaking Caribbean. This unique service is provided at absolutely no cost to affected families
The JB Foundation aims to generate greater awareness of childhood cancers in light of the fact that in the developing world, cancer is still thought of as being an adult or ‘old people’s disease.’ With the assistance of medical doctors, social workers, psychologists, nutritionists and non-medical Family Support Workers, the JB Foundation helps parents deal with the shock of diagnosis and be their coaches along the journey and beyond.
Mission
The mission of the JBF is to provide practical, social and emotional support for families of children with cancer. We will work with diverse professionals to raise awareness of the incidence, possible causes and treatment of Pediatric Cancer while promoting the overall health and well being of children afflicted with this disease, with the intention of improving their quality of life.
We will pioneer new support programs and liaise with local, regional and international organizations in search of ways to improve our service to the afflicted families.
We will provide short-term ‘Home Away From Home’ facilities that offer families a place to stay near treatment centers in a carefully planned and uplifting environment. The ‘Home Away From Home’ shall operate in a manner that will not discriminate against any individual or group of persons on the basis of race, religion, sex, national or financial status.
Vision
To become the Caribbean’s leading resource in the provision of comprehensive and holistic support services for children with cancer and their families.