Smiling With Jerome

Jerome was given the gift of life and after twenty years he had to give it back. He lived life to the full even during his last 4 years when he was suffering from a malignant and rare cancer tumour, Ewings Sarcoma, which targets the bones and the soft tissues!

Whoever met him, left with a very positive outlook on life itself as Jerome transmitted hope and courage to everyone especially to those who were at their most vulnerable weakest point in their life. His signature smile says it all!

The SMILING WITH JEROME initiative was founded on the 6 th of October 2017, the day that Jerome died and it was taken so that help, in any possible form, could be transmitted to everyone in need. Given the high response it got, it was transformed into, and officially registered, as a proper ‘Foundation’ in early 2018.

Many people are suffering in silence. Some need extra financial help, others need someone to talk to but do not know where to begin and others need that extra push to get going. This Foundation, through help from its wide range of sponsors, provides hope and courage to the persons in need.

Everyone in this Foundation, including the Founders, are volunteers. They do not get paid.

SMILING WITH JEROME also takes care of families whose loved one, mainly of a young age, has been diagnosed with Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, Epilepsy, Rare Diseases and other related serious disability / condition.

This Foundation organises events throughout the year, free of charge, for all the patients and their families. We truly believe that each family deserves to have a well earned rest and fun from time to time as positivity and a general sense of wellbeing help with treatment and therapy.

In December 2019 we have launched, for the first time in Malta, the CHEMO BAGS OF HOPE Initiative.

These are bags which are being given for free to all inpatients, kids, women and men, who are receiving chemotherapy at SAMOC (Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre) and patients referred to us by Hospice Malta.

These bags are filled with specialised items, approved by the Oncology Nurses, which help patients get through the long hours of treatment.

As his parents, together with our other son Jethro, we strongly believe that now it is not a matter of healing but a matter of adaptation to a new life without the physical presence of Jerome.

Losing a child is every parent’s worst nightmare, however through this Foundation, we are fully committed to keep Jerome alive by effectively seeking to put a ‘Smile’ on each face that we meet.

Smiling With Jerome Foundation VO/1564.