If everyone had friends that were as caring and helping as Jasper Mazzocco’s, the world would be incredibly peaceful.
Who Is Jasper Mazzocco?
The 4-year-old Jasper Mazzocco, who is from Redding Cooperative Preschool, was diagnosed with a rare type of brain cancer late last year.
Doctors are reportedly found a tumor in his brain back in November 2019 and he has since then been undergoing treatment in Sacramento. Because of his condition, he could no longer attend school and had to be hospitalized.
What’s even scarier and sadder about the situation is that the cost of his treatment kept going up and his family has been going through some financial troubles recently.
The Hot Cocoa Fundraiser
This is when Jasper’s friends at RCP as well as their families decided to put up a fundraiser to raise the funds required for his operation. At first, the preschoolers decided to sell lemonade, but because it was the winter season, their parents and some local businesses decided that it would be more appropriate to sell hot cocoa. Thus, the fundraiser known as ‘Hot Cocoa for a Cure’ was established.
Even while Jasper was away in the hospital, his friends wouldn’t stop talking about him as Becky Haskins, a fund-raising organizer in one of the mothers of Jasper’s preschool friends said:
“The kiddos… miss and talk about him every day. He is one of the sweetest souls that I have ever met and his family is just the same.”
Space and water bottles were supplied by the local Trader Joe, whereas chairs and tables were offered by Dick’s Sporting Goods, and both Starbucks and Costco provided baked goods.
More interestingly, three of Starbucks employees even went to and fro to supply the stand with hot water in order to make the cocoa.
Jessica Stephens, Jasper’s preschool teacher said that some cancer survivors also stopped by the stand to buy some hot cocoa as well as shared their stories on how they battled cancer or talk about the ones that were lost along the way.
Stephens was very happy with how the fundraiser turned out by saying, “So many tears were shed in those six hours. This experience has been the most beautiful thing I’ve ever been a part of.“
Jasper’s Recovery
On January 11, Jasper’s mom Shelby shared an update on Facebook saying:
“Got to see the scans ourselves today that confirm Jasper’s tumor is shrinking. … There are no words to express our gratitude to our community who came out to support Jasper and our family. Tears of joy and inspiration are flowing. Keep all those prayers and positive vibes coming our way. We truly do feel your love.”
On generally 13 2020, Shelby informed CNN that her son had undergone surgery and if all went well, he would get treatment the following week. Meanwhile, his friends continue to check up on him.
Shelby informed CNN, “It’s really neat to know they miss us as much as we missed them. Jasper was on the phone with them saying ‘Hi’ to everyone and singing his little preschool songs with them.”
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