About Little Star Foundation
Who we are
In the 1980s, Andrea Jaeger was a tennis phenomenon. She turned pro at an age when most kids don't have their drivers permit and celebrated her sixteenth birthday with a win at the French Open. Yet despite her success on the court, she knew that tennis was merely a platform to something greater. What proved to be a career-ending shoulder injury at the age of nineteen was the catalyst for her true calling: to help children in unfortunate circumstances. With tremendous faith and fortitude, she gave up her millions in tennis earnings and founded Little Star Foundation, a non-profit organization benefiting children with cancer.
Little Star Foundation hosts children from all walks of life and all corners of the globe. For these youngsters, weary of sterile hospitals, painful procedures, and the trauma of dealing with a life-threatening disease, the Foundation provides a welcome respite. While disease may change their lives, the Foundation makes sure it doesn't steal their laughter, love, or light. Andrea Jaegers' story proves that God makes miracles happen if we choose to listen. Through this amazing story, readers will find the inspiration to find their own special calling.
Little Star Foundation has supported and nurtured children with cancer and children in need for 26 years, the first 4 years conducted in extensive research programs. Thousands upon thousands of children know what it means to experience the programs, hope and love of Little Star. They attest to what it has meant to them. Andrea and Little Star Foundation needs your support; the children need you.
Why Support Little Star Foundation
You may ask, what makes Little Star Foundation different from other organizations that ask for your support? It has proven success. It is not a short-term fix for these children; it is a longer-term commitment. Relationships are established. No family is every charged a fee for programs and services. All programs and services are offered at no cost to families. Even transportation costs to and from program events are provided by Little Star Foundation. Its guiding force is Andrea. She has committed her money and life to these kids; she asks you to join in this commitment. Andrea is in this for the long term, not just as a fundraiser. You can become a partner with her in support of children and their possibilities.
The Mission of Little Star Foundation
To improve the quality of life and provide long term care to children with cancer and children in need.
Foundation Objectives:
Provide positive lifetime experiences and a safe haven for children with cancer and children in need. In doing so, we encourage the children to simply be themselves, to have fun, and provide opportunities to enhance their quality of life.
Provide much needed financial, educational, medical and emotional support for participants.
Help children acquire the physical and emotional capacity to endure the challenges of the present and future.
Reveal to the participants the recuperative values of sharing experiences and caring for each other, and to help others who are experiencing similar ordeals.
Allow children to be children.
Serve as a year-round resource to the children, their families, health care professionals and caregivers worldwide.
Inspire and educate the public to further develop opportunities for foundation participants.
Why does it matter?
Cancer is the #1 disease killer of children in the United States
Every 3-5 minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer
Research shows the total number of people, age 19 and under, living with cancer to be 353,000 and rising. Support is critical.
Many childhood cancer survivors live with long-term effects, even after receiving the world’s best treatments:
* Another cancer diagnosis
* Severe cognitive dysfunctions
* Loss of limbs
* Chronic organ and other medical problems
* Heart and lung disease
* Loss of vision or hearing
* Infertility
* Social non-acceptance
* Depression and suicidal problems
* Posttraumatic stress syndrome
Little Star Foundation accomplishes our mission by doing the following: ·
Provide financial, healthcare, educational, emotional, medical, spiritual, social and, if necessary, bereavement support to children and families that cannot provide this for themselves.
Provide this support long term, not just as an event.
Teach them they are not alone in their fight to survive and thrive.
Help parents with support for their child at risk, their siblings and themselves.
Inspire the public to contribute their time and monies in support of the future i.e. children at risk.
Supportive Information:
Average annual percentage of program and services expenditures: 85-93%
Average annual percentage of governance costs and administration expenses: 4%-8%
Average annual fundraising expense: 3-7%
Average annual minimum budget needs: $3.3 million
Demographics – Little Star Foundation assists children with cancer and children in need and their families from all ethnicities and income levels. Little Star is affiliated with childrens, hospitals, oncology centers and childcare communities, individuals and facilities throughout the United States, and throughout the world.
Programs and Services:
Click Here to see Little Star Foundation's Programs & Services
What Can You Do?
Financially donate to this 501C3 non profit organization. You can do it by check, credit card, trusts, stock and your networking.
Get others that share our passion to help children with like-minded people.
Work with other community organizations, corporations, schools and local and national events that are looking for meaningful contributions to make.
Get on Facebook and Twitter to your friends; talk about Little Star Foundation and Andrea Jaegers' commitment and the difference they have made in childrens' lives.
Click Here to read a letter from Andrea