Charlottesville, VA – November 29, 2021
Local fuel supplier, Tiger Fuel Company made a $20,000 holiday contribution to JackFest, a family-friendly festival that supports families battling childhood cancer in Central Virginia.
Jack Callahan, a 5-year old Charlottesville native, beat metastatic cancer after enduring a 13-month course of intensive treatments in 2019 and 2020. After beginning treatment at UVA Children’s Hospital, the severity of his disease required his family to relocate to Philadelphia to access more specialized treatment. JackFest raises funds to support services that will allow more kids like Jack to stay close to home for treatment.
“The Callahan family has touched the hearts of many within the Tiger Fuel family. We’re inspired by Jack’s story and the dedication to paying it forward,” said Gordon Sutton, President of Tiger Fuel Company. “In lieu of holiday gifts like wreaths and gift baskets that we typically send to our customers, we wanted to make a meaningful contribution in their honor. The $20,000 donation will support expansion projects at the Ronald McDonald House in Charlottesville and allow more families to get the best possible care close to home at UVA Children’s Hospital.”
JackFest will be held at Foxfield on March 27, 2022. A wide range of activities will appeal to all ages, including a superhero dash, obstacle course, LEGO Build Challenge, inflatables, arts & crafts, petting zoo, food trucks and a beer and wine garden. Admission is free.
“Our family was moved by the generous support of the Charlottesville community during Jack’s arduous cancer treatments,” said Mike Callahan. “We are dedicated now to paying it forward by helping other Virginia families upended by childhood cancer find the support they need to remain close to home. Tiger’s generous donation will directly help these families by supporting needs at the Ronald McDonald House and new cutting-edge cancer treatment options at UVA,” added Callahan.
A check presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, November 30th at 9 am at the Ronald McDonald House in Charlottesville, Va.
About Tiger Fuel Company
Tiger Fuel Company is a local, family operated fuel supplier founded in 1982. As a full-service petroleum product distributor in Central Virginia, Tiger represents the follow major brands: Exxon, Shell, BP, CITGO and its own private label, Excel. Tiger also operates nine state-of-the-art car washes known as TigerWash and nine gourmet-to go convenience stores known as The Market. Visit tigerfuel.com.
About JackFest
JackFest is a family-friendly festival that will raise funds to support children and their families who are in Charlottesville to receive cutting-edge cancer treatments at the UVA Children’s Hospital. JackFest will be held at Foxfield in Albemarle County on Sunday, March 27, 2022, from Noon to 4:00 PM. Everyone is welcome and there is no admission fee. Visit jackfest.net.
About the Beneficiaries of JackFest –
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charlottesville
The Ronald McDonald House serves families of children that must travel far from home for critical medical care. Charlottesville’s House is one of nearly 400 across the globe that provide lodging, meals, transportation, and a community of families going through stressful experiences. The House provides these services for a nominal donation, which means it relies heavily on charitable donations to carry out its mission. Each $1,000 raised through JackFest will support a family’s needs for 10 nights. Funds raised through JackFest will also help outfit two guest rooms to accommodate children who have received treatment from UVA’s new bone marrow transplant and immunotherapy programs until they are recovered enough to return home.
Pediatric Oncology at UVA Children’s Hospital
UVA provides care for children from across the state that are diagnosed with cancer. UVA is a premier medical center equipped to handle many pediatric cancer cases. However, some children with rare or relapsed cancer have needed to travel out of state for life-saving care. JackFest aims to raise funds that will support UVA’s pediatric immunotherapy and stem cell transplant programs, allowing more children and their families to stay closer to home.