12-year old “Facebook Face for Cancer” dies

12-year old “Facebook Face for Cancer” dies

Jessica Joy Rees, A Southern California girl who became a nationally recognized face of child cancer with a blog that chronicled her fight against brain tumors has died. She was only 12 years old.

The Orange County seventh-grader, called "Jessie" by family and friends, began her blog and Facebook  page after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in March. A second tumor was discovered in September.

Jessica's family announced her death on her Facebook page, stating that her 10-month battle with brain cancer ended on Thursday. She always signed her posts with the acronym "NEGU", short for "never ever give up." Jessica wrote on Facebook that her mission was "to encourage kids fighting cancer to Never Ever Give Up by spreading hope, joy and love. A cheerful heart is great medicine."

She and her parents started The NEGU Foundation, a nonprofit organization to raise awareness on pediatric cancer, raise money for research and to support sufferers.

The foundation sold and provided thousands of "JoyJars" stuffed with candy and toys to sick children. More than 3,000 were sold and distributed in 27 states last year, according to their website.

A celebration service was scheduled for Wednesday at the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, where her father, Erik Rees, is a pastor.

Posted by James Fried on Tuesday January 10 2012, 4:42 AM EST. Ref: CNN. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Nation. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0