Spreading Joy: AZ Blue Volunteers Fill JoyJars for Kids Fighting Cancer

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (AZ Blue) employees came together once again for an amazing cause – volunteering to stuff JoyJars for Arizona children fighting cancer.

What are JoyJars?

Jars of joy, of course! The jars were inspired by Jessie Joy Rees, a 12-year-old girl who courageously fought cancer (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma) from March 2011 to January 2012. It was her thoughtful idea to create JoyJars – 64-ounce plastic jars filled to the brim with toys and games for children battling cancer. Jessie filled over 3,000 JoyJars with family and friends before she lost her fight. Her legacy lives on through the Jessie Rees Foundation, her inspirational idea to bottle up and bring joy to others, and her motto to Never Ever Give Up (NEGU)!

To date, more than 425,000 of Jessie’s JoyJars have been stuffed and sent to kids fighting cancer in more than 50 countries.

Inspiring hope in AZ

On Nov. 2, more than 160 AZ Blue employees volunteered their time to fill 1,000 JoyJars with toys, games, and inspirational messages. This is the sixth consecutive year that AZ Blue has supported the Jessie Rees Foundation. But – there was something extra special (and speedy) about this year because we joined forces with NASCAR!

Revving up impact

The number 7 car, wrapped in JoyJars graphics, and driver Corey LaJoie were at the AZ Blue office to help "speed up" jar-stuffing. Corey drove the bright blue car featuring Jessie Rees Foundation decals at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 5, driving home the message to Never Ever Give Up.

Check out photos of our AZ Blue employees spreading joy and making a difference!