HOPE AND
BEYOND
JAY'S HOPE HAS BEEN AIDING AND UPLIFTING FAMILIES
BATTLING PEDIATRIC CANCER FOR OVER A DECADE
BY MICHAEL W. PANNELL
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSICA WHITLEY
F
or 15 years, Jay's Hope has worked
to improve the quality of life of
children with cancer and their
families in Macon and throughout
Georgia. The faith-based, charitable
organization does so by enlisting
volunteers, donors and others to
bring hope through a variety of social,
emotional, spiritual, educational and
financial support efforts.
But there's an added dimension.
Talking to those who know about
Jay's Hope, you hear the organization
isn't only about fulfilling lofty goals.
Grateful for such things as gas cards,
food money and desperately needed
payments of bills and rent, those
touched by Jay's Hope are appreciative
of something else just as valuable.
"I love them," said Sydney Stile,
mother of 6-year-old Griffin, who was
diagnosed with leukemia last year
and who saw an increase in her own
Lupus-related health problems due to
the strain.
"I quit my job to care for him but
had to return to working night shifts
to be around during the day," she said.
"I ended up getting sicker and bills
mounted. It's scary not knowing how
things will work out but Jay's Hope
stepped in and helped with the burden.
Right: Jeremy and Kim Mullis with their
daughter, Kinleigh.
Opposite page: Sydney Stile and her
son, Griffin.
90 maconmagazine.com | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2022
