A few weeks ago, our friends the Laux family and J. Jordan Homes teamed up with the Richards family and the Love Like Sean Foundation at a holiday party to host a memorable and incredibly generous (Jack) Bear Squares fundraiser.

Our family was honored to participate in a truly historic day at Lurie Children’s Hospital as the Edwards Family announced a remarkable $11M gift advancing genetics, genomics, and rare disease research.

A huge thank-you to everyone who came out to support the 5th Grade Gives Back Hot Cocoa Sale! Because of the incredible generosity of the Field Park families, friends, and community, the kids raised an amazing $1,210 for the Jack Bear Foundation and SCAR-15 research.

We attended the Winter Wishes event, where the Robinson family shared their powerful journey to answers through early genetic testing.

A huge thank you to the Tiny Philanthropists Club and the entire Forest Hills Falcons community for another heartwarming act of kindness in action!

We are so grateful to everyone who shopped and supported the Jack Bear Foundation during our Vintage Charm Fundraiser. Your generosity means the world and helps us continue advancing vital research for SCAR-15.

Jack and our family had the joy of visiting Field Park Elementary to celebrate the incredible success of the Teddy Wars coin drive alongside the Student Council and their sponsors.

On October 8th, Carrie had the privilege of attending an intimate and inspiring gathering hosted by Lurie Children’s Hospital. The evening featured three incredible leaders whose work is shaping the future of rare disease research.

On behalf of the Jack Bear Foundation, Carrie attended the Combined Brain Annual Meeting in Nashville, joining a powerful consortium of nonprofit organizations working together to fast-track treatments and cures for rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorders. We are proud to be part of this collaborative network dedicated to accelerating progress for families like ours. 

The SCAR-15 Soirée was an unforgettable evening filled with connection, generosity, and purpose as friends, family, advocates, donors, and many new members of the Jack Bear community came together to support our mission.

We are deeply grateful to Editor & Publisher, Mike Ellis and Hillgrove Avenue Magazine for featuring Jack and his longtime friend, Charlotte Weckman, in the February issue in honor of Rare Disease Month.

We are so grateful to Vintage Charm for featuring Jack’s story and the Jack Bear Foundation as part of their Sunday Sessions series.

Dr. Davis and her team are using cutting edge research with zebrafish (they have two eyes, a mouth, brain, spinal cord, intestine, pancreas, liver, bile ducts, kidney, esophagus, heart, ear, nose, muscle, blood, bone, cartilage, and teeth!) to study rare pediatric genetics. 70% of human genes are found in zebrafish!

On Saturday, May 31st, members of the Jack Bear Foundation team guest bartended at Milkstop Cafe in La Grange.

On Saturday, May 31st, the Jack Bear team strolled in the annual La Grange Pet Parade.

Over spring break, we attended the National Ataxia Foundation Conference in Las Vegas—our first time participating in this incredible gathering of families, advocates, and researchers.

In honor of Neurodiversity Month, we’re thrilled to share a heartwarming and inspiring video created by a group of thoughtful and passionate 5th graders—with the help of their dedicated teachers—who are making a big impact in their school community.

The Jack Bear Winter Skate was nothing short of incredible! It was a special day that brought the Jack Bear community together, filled with energy, love, and support for SCAR-15 research.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the students at Forest Hills Elementary who supported the Mechanical Pencil Sale held during lunchtime over two days in November. The enthusiasm, energy, and generosity shown throughout the event made it truly special.

We’re thrilled to share the success of our recent shopping fundraiser in partnership with JAYNE, where 20% of the day’s sales made by Jack Bear supporters were donated to the foundation.