Jack Giniel battled a rare and aggressive form of cancer called Clear Cell Sarcoma. This cancer was found in the form of a tumor on Jack’s head after he began having headaches. During much of 2006 he had been through numerous surgeries, chemo treatments and a misdiagnosis. On September 7, 2006, one third of Jack’s skull was removed and doctors were still unable to remove all of the cancer. Jack lost his battle with cancer on Saturday November 11, 2006.

We found out about Jack in Mid September when we were contacted by one of Joe and Coleen’s (Jack’s amazing parents) friends. They asked us to help them with a fundraising event for the family; JACKtoberfest. JACKtoberfest was an amazing fund-raising event to help the Giniel family offset some of the financial burden that this horrible disease brought, and allow them to focus on Jack’s care. Equally as important was the ability for the Giniel’s to spend quality time as a family, which also included Jack’s twin brother Kevin and his big brother Ryan, age 7. Through our friends at the Detroit Tigers we were able to get Jack and his family down to Comerica Park to see the Tigers on Friday September 21, 2006. Jack and his family were guests of the Tigers and were taken down onto the field to watch batting practice and they were able to meet a few of the players. Here you see Jack meeting Sean Casey. JACKtoberfest was a family fun day at Camp Dearborn in Milford Michigan. There were games for the kids, food, auction, raffles and much more. The weather was perfect and JACKtoberfest was a great success and we were honored to be apart of it.

In continuing our support of the Giniel family we found out that Jack had a clubhouse in his backyard that had been started by his Dad Joe, but was incomplete. Through the help of Bill Wylonis we were able to get the clubhouse completed. Bill is a member of The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Metropolitan Detroit. Bill was instrumental in developing the relationship between our foundation and BOMA. Thanks for all you do Bill. Kevin and Ryan love the new clubhouse and the family will be dedicating it in the spring and it will be called “Jack’s Place”.

Joe & Coleen continue to be an inspiration to all of us, as they continue to display amazing courage and strength. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jack and the Giniel family.

Remember. Life is precious. Life is a gift. Enjoy every waking moment and cherish every memory because you never know when it will be taken away. Our work with the Foundation continues and we hope that someday our efforts will somehow help eliminate this deadly disease from the planet.

We are constantly reminded that Jack was not alone in his battle. Please pray for all the other brave young warriors and their families as they wage war with the beast. May God be with them on this agonizing journey.