Join The Fight: Let’s Jam Kancer Together

Every year, the holidays are a time to be with family and friends, to reflect and celebrate getting through another year. It’s also a time to think of others who may not have been as fortunate. Everyone’s situation is different, but if you had the ability to help out in any way this holiday season, think about donating to the Jam Kancer in the Kan foundation.

If this foundation sounds familiar, it’s because New York Islanders captain Anders Lee has been involved with the foundation since 2016.

His involvement started after he saw a speech from a 15-year old boy named Fenov Pierre-Louis, who had battled Stage 4 Neuroblastoma cancer throughout his entire life.

Fenov never once let his illness define him as a person. His speeches captivated many, including Lee.

“I want to help him. I want to help kids like him (Fenov),” said Lee in a conversation with founder Jamey Crimmins. “Can I do a Kancer Jam?”

A Kancer Jam is a Kan Jam tournament that people pay to participate in, where the profits go to the Jam Kancer in the Kan foundation.

That’s how the journey for Lee started with this foundation. Lee became rather close to Fenov as the two were a dynamic duo before Fenov sadly passed away in July of 2018 at the age of 17.

Whether it has been through monetary donations, the purchase of gifts, or the creation of videos for fans, Lee has continued to do what he can to help kids like Fenov and their families.

“He’s one of the most humble people I know,” Crimmins said as we discussed Anders Lee. “He doesn’t take his position lightly but knows while he’s in a position to be a professional hockey player, to be the captain of the Islanders, it means he has the ability to motivate people to help others.”

Since Lee hosted his first Jam Kancer event in February of 2018, it has sparked support from other players around the NHL. Since Lee’s first event, players from the New York Rangers, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Buffalo Sabres decided to hold their own Kancer Jams.

Those events have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for families, all because of Lee, which is due in large part to the bravery and positivity of Fenov.

“Fenov started it, and Fenov and Anders together just made an incredible team,” Crimmins said.

All the money fundraised helps families pay off the big expenses such as treatment bills, as well as the smaller bills like tolls to and from the hospitals, parking, or wherever the money can go to take off some of the financial pressure cancer brings.

So while you are wrapping presents and placing them under the tree, cooking a feast for the family, or listening to your favorite holiday tunes, check out how you can join the fight by heading over to Jam Kancer in the Kan’s website.

In honor of Fenov, alongside Lee, Crimmins, and countless others, let’s help as many families as we can in their fight against cancer.