About Jack
The inspiration which led to a community fighting to find a pediatric cancer cure.
Anyone who knew Jack quickly understood he was special. He was a special son and a fantastic big brother to four little sisters. Two of his greatest loves were Captain America and baseball, but beyond the above, Jack’s greatest love was God. As he endured round after round of treatment for brain cancer, Jack was steadfast in his faith, welcoming his next stage while calming those around him.
Jack’s undying belief was infectious to everyone around him and he has helped countless individuals and families feel closer to God as a result of his good work. We pray and hope that his strength can and will be felt by other families with children battling this terrible disease.
About Our Mission
Through Jack and his strength, we seek to help local families and support groundbreaking pediatric cancer research.
The mission of Catching Up With Jack is to help build and grow the Kingdom of God by sharing Jack’s story through an uplifting family event which raises money to support frontline, innovative research and to help financially support local families going through pediatric cancer.
Now in its ninth year, our team’s focus on finding a pediatric cancer cure and helping to support local families is stronger than ever. Help us in our mission by supporting this year’s event!
$+
raised to help find a pediatric cancer cure
Community partners coming together over the years
local family beneficiaries supported through raised proceeds
Some Images of the Jack Impact
Funded Research and Institutes
Dr. Carl Koschmann
University of Michigan Precision Medicine Program
Dr. Sam Blackman
TAK-580 Trial
Koschmann Lab
Accelerating Pace of DNA Sequencing for Highest Risk Brain Tumors
Toledo Children’s Hospital Pediatric Cancer Unit
“Fires by Jack” Program
Dr. Eric Thompson
PEP-CMV-“PRiME”
Dr. Miguel Rivera
Critical Mechanisms of Gene Regulation
Dr. Carl Koschmann
Rapid Molecular Testing of High Risk Pediatric Brain Tumors
Dr. Marc Remke
Unraveling Medulloblastoma Biology by Proteomics
Our Board of Directors
Brady Fineske
As a proud father I cannot imagine a better way to carry on my son’s legacy than to rally a community around families in need. More specifically to help other families on a similar journey know Jack’s story of trust and faith in our Lord. The work we have accomplished in a short time is extending and changing lives and for that I am grateful to serve and continue to try to catch up with Jack.
Jim Herrick
I feel so honored to be able to serve such a worthy cause. As Jack’s uncle, there is no greater joy to me than helping families going through what his family went through, and leaning on such an amazing community to walk beside and support our work. With as little federal funding as Childhood Cancer research receives, Catching Up With Jack is making a real difference – not only in the families that we help, but the research studies we fund in order to find treatments, and ultimately a cure.
Jesse MacDonald
As a long-time colleague of Brady and friend to the Fineske family, I saw first-hand the impact Jack made on those around him. I feel Jack came into my life for a reason, and his strength in his faith and courage are things I strive for every day and qualities I want to pass on to my own children. While Catching Up with Jack remembers the amazing life of Jack and that impact, it has grown into something we could never have imagined – our community comes together where we strengthen our faith, and at the same time, raise meaningful funds that go to the frontlines of battling pediatric cancer. That is to fund groundbreaking research, and to help local families battling this terrible disease. I am grateful and energized to be part of such an initiative.
Livie Fineske
Jack has had such an amazing impact on so many people, and as his sister, I am so grateful to witness how he has affected not just my own family, but also local families who battle with pediatric cancer. Being able to help other families who are on a similar journey, and to share Jack’s story of trust with them, has been a gift as we work as a community to support all those on the frontlines of the battle at hand. The support for Jack and his legacy of faith and love have created sources of help for many people, and I am honored to be a part of this team as we continue to reach out, serve others, and do our best to Catch Up With Jack.
Bailey Floyd
My journey with Catching Up With Jack began through volunteering at their events, where I witnessed firsthand the incredible impact this organization has on pediatric cancer research and members of our community affected by this disease. Inspired by CUWJ’s mission and the legacy of Jack, whose spirit continues to shine through the work of this organization, I was driven to do more. It’s truly inspiring to be part of an organization that honors Jack’s memory and makes a difference in the lives of those battling pediatric cancer. I’m excited to continue contributing to CUWJ’s important work and ensure that Jack’s legacy lives on.
CUWJ News What’s Going On at CUWJ
We are beyond grateful to share that Jersey Mike's Subs Toledo and surrounding-area locations raised over $70,000 during their March Month of Giving to support Catching Up With Jack. This generosity far exceeded anything we could have hoped for—and it’s a testament to the power of community, compassion, and a shared commitment to fighting pediatric cancer.
Exciting news! Catching Up With Jack has been chosen as the Jersey Mike's Subs Month of Giving charity in Toledo! All March long, you can donate at checkout, and on March 26th, 100% of sales will support kids battling pediatric cancer.
12.17.2024
CUWJ 2024 Sold Out in Record Time
CUWJ 2024 has sold out in record time as we’ve completed our ticket sales to pack the Rosary Cathedral in downtown Toledo. We thank our amazing CUWJ community for supporting our 8th event; this promised to be our most impactful event yet!
Contact Us
If you would like to speak to a member of the Catching Up With Jack team, please fill out the following contact form.
Interested in Donating to Catching Up With Jack?
If you believe in our cause and would like to support our mission, please consider donating to Catching Up With Jack as your gift will help fund cutting edge pediatric cancer research and help Toledo area families ease the burden of their cancer fight.
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