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JAY'S HOPE 
"Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
January 5, 2001- March 31, 2006
Jay courageously battled a malignant brain tumor for 2 ˝ years and WON as he skipped into the Gates of Heaven on March 31, 2006. Jay’s gutsy little spirit, his never-ending smile and that undeniable sparkle in his big brown eyes, has touched so many lives. He has taught us to embrace life and to see it through the eyes of our Heavenly Father. He has taught us how to live for today no matter what tomorrow may bring, to love each other unconditionally, and to never give up hope, even against all odds.
“Against all Hope, in hope we believe...” (Romans 4:18)
A Child of Light
(written for candlelight service)
This small child we remember,
Though missing from our sight.
In honor and remembrance,
We join our candles to shine his light.
Jay’s soul has gone to a new world,
where there is no darkness, no pain,
In our hearts, his light and essence
will always remain.
His spirit lights the candle,
for it has not really gone,
With each flickering flame, we pass it on.
As we light the candles amongst us ever so slow,
It starts a flame of memory with its loving glow.
It’s amazing how such a little flame,
Can touch us so deeply, we are never the same.
Jay left us precious memories,
His love is still our guide,
and though we cannot see him,
He is always by our side.
Amongst the angels in heaven,
His whisper is the wind,
And as our candles flicker,
we know it must be him.
“I have fought a good fight,
I have finished the course,
I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)
"Hope is hearing the melody of the future. Faith is being able to dance to it."
"Because of My love for you and by My grace, I've given you eternal encouragement and good hope. I encourage your heart and strengthen you in every good deed and word. The key is finding joy in hope, patience amid frustration, and faithfulness in prayer. Through Jesus, I've given you access to living hope! Absolutely nothing is too difficult for Me!"
Assuredly,
Your God of All Hope
Welcome to Jay's Web Page. It has been provided to keep family and friends updated about Jay's VICTORY in his battle with cancer. Jay is the five year old son of Jason and Cindy Gaskins. He has a big sister, Kaitlyn who is seven years old and a baby brother, Tanner who is two. Jay was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma(a malignant brain tumor)in September 2003. He had emergency brain surgery to remove the tumor at The Children's Hopital of Central GA. Jay was referred to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN for treatment. Cindy, Jay and Tanner lived at the Ronald McDonald House and the Target House during 4 months of Chemotherapy and 6 weeks of Radiation. After many complications including seizures and airway difficulties(which required a trach and G-tube), Jay completed his treatment in April 2004 and was declared cancer free. He remained in remission for 7 months and relapsed in November of 2004 when new tumor growth was detected during a routine MRI. Jay has been entered into a trial study of Experimental Chemotherapy. He has completed two rounds of Chemo and on January 26th, 2005 we will repeat the MRI. Please pray for God's mercy and gift of healing on this earth for our Baby Jay. Join us in praying that Jay will continue to be a story of hope for all who battle this beast called cancer.
January 2005-the tumor is almost gone!!!
March 2005-The tumor is completely gone!!! Praise God!
August 2005-Relapsed with four new tumors. Entering into another Phase One
Study.
December 2005-The tumors have doubled in size, we were sent home with little to no hope from the medical community. Jay began a protocol out of Boston and is currently under the care of our local Pediatric Oncologist.
January 2006-The tumors doubled in size in two short weeks. Referred to Hospice.
February 2006-The tumors are SHRINKING!
March 2006-Jay went home to be with Jesus.
Please sign the guest book to let us know of your visit. The kids love to read your encouraging messages!
Journal
Saturday, January 5, 2008 8:20 PM CST Baby Jay,
Happy Birthday to my sweet baby boy! It is hard to believe that you would be seven today!
Tanner corrected me recently that you are not a baby, but a big boy. It reminded me of a time we were in the carpool line picking Sissy up from school. The line seemed to be moving slower than usual, and you were getting a little impatient. Wanting to asses the situation, you stood up in my lap, opened the sunroof, and poked your little baldhead out the top of the car. As we approached the front of the school, a few of the students began pointing and saying, “Look at the baby!” You quickly ducked back into the car and sank into your seat. Of course, I wanted to jump out and defend you by kicking some first-grade booty (You know that Mommy doesn’t play!). But instead, I tried to change the subject and pretend that I didn’t hear their hurtful words. After a few minutes of listening to me ramble, you interrupted me and said, “Mommy, those boys just called me a baby.” I reassured you that you were not a baby, but a big boy and that those boys didn’t know what they were talking about. I must have been rambling again, because you stopped me abruptly and declared with confidence, “But Mommy, I will always be your baby.”
I couldn’t agree more. You will ALWAYS be my baby.
Love you and miss you more each day,
Mommy
Read Journal History
Hospital Information: Patient Room: Fishing with his Great-Papa in Heaven
Links: http://www.stjudeheroes.org/site/TR?team_id=2900&pg=team&fr_id=1430 Support Jay's Hope Team
http:// www.fathershope.blogspot.com Blog created to help cancer dads
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