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Professional athletes bring holiday joy to children with pediatric cancer at CHOC

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A group of Olympians, professional athletes and auto racing stars brought holiday cheer to children with pediatric cancer at Southern California hospitals.

Jessie Rees Foundation, a Rancho Santa Margarita-based organization offering moments of joy to ill children and their families, organized a West Coast tour of its 14 partner hospitals beginning in Tacoma, Wash., on Nov. 27 and ending Dec. 13 at Children’s Hospital Orange County (CHOC).

World Series champion Nick Punto and UFC fighter Jake Ellenberger visited the CHOC oncology floor Wednesday afternoon to spend time with children in residential treatment.

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“As a father that has spent what should be a special time of celebration next to the bed of an ailing child, I understand the particular hardship that these moments represent,” said Erik Rees, founder of Jessie Rees Foundation, in a statement.

“The Jessie Rees Foundation seeks to carry on the legacy of my daughter offering encouragement and a moment of joy in the midst of pain,” Rees said. “This holiday season we are blessed to offer just such a message of hope — delivered personally by an amazing group of people.”

The West Coast tour also made stops in Los Angeles, Riverside and Long Beach with visitors including Olympic Gold medalists Nastia Liukin, Jordyn Wieber, Lenny Krayzelburg and members of the Lucas Oil racing team, among others.

The foundation was created in 2012 in honor of 12-year-old Jessie Rees, who fought against pediatric brain cancer. During her illness, Jessie created jars stuffed with presents and items for children at the hospital. The organization has assembled and distributed more than 138,000 JoyJars to children across the U.S. and beyond.

For more information, visit negu.org.

kathleen.luppi@latimes.com

Twitter: @KathleenLuppi

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