Atlanta – September 29, 2026 -- The Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation (JAJF) has completed 20 years of funding fully-paid family trips for parents with terminal cancer diagnoses, a model now formally prescribed by oncologists across the United States as part of patient treatment protocols.
Foundation traces origin to a 2006 family diagnosis
Jon Albert founded JAJF in 2006 after his wife, Jill, was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. Jill died two weeks after the foundation's launch, but the organization she inspired has since delivered what it calls WOW! Experiences to thousands of children and parents nationwide.
Oncologists write formal prescriptions for family trips
JAJF requires a formal prescription from an oncologist before arranging a custom, all-expenses-covered trip for families with a terminally ill parent and at least one child under 18. Dr. Vandana Abramson of Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, a member of JAJF's Medical Board of Advisors, said the approach gives physicians a way to care for the family unit beyond disease treatment.
Global travel and hospitality brands underwrite in-kind support
The foundation's operating model depends on in-kind partnerships rather than direct outlays for trip costs. Partners include Marriott, Four Seasons, Hyatt, Travel + Leisure, American Airlines, Hertz, the NFL, the NBA and Universal Studios, alongside destination marketing organizations such as Visit Orlando, Visit Texas, Visit NYC, Visit Seattle and Visit Yosemite.
Charity Navigator has awarded four-star rating since 2020
JAJF has held Charity Navigator's top four-star distinction every year since 2020. Jon Albert was named a 2018 CNN Hero, and the organization has received coverage from the Wall Street Journal, the TODAY Show, USA TODAY and CNN, where Dr. Sanjay Gupta has discussed the clinical value of prescribing family trips for patients confronting terminal illness.
Foundation targets continued expansion of oncologist network
JAJF said it is working to grow its coalition of oncologists, hospitals, corporate partners and individual donors as it enters its next two decades of operation.