When Akron resident Jeff Musser was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 1999 at the age of 42, doctors prescribed several months of chemotherapy with the possibility of a bone marrow transplant following remission. "At that time, insurance didn't cover bone marrow transplants," recalled Musser. "A bunch of my friends got together, and they raised about $35,000 for me."

After Musser underwent 28 months of chemotherapy, doctors at The Johns Hopkins Hospital decided not to perform the bone marrow transplant. "When I got well after two years, I had $35,000," said Musser, who also had a heightened awareness of the situations faced by the families of children with the same type of cancer he had. "My cancer was a childhood leukemia," he said. "For kids it's 80% curable, but for adults it's 20% curable."

Although the high cure rate is good news for families whose children are diagnosed with the disease, Musser saw the toll it took on parents. "I was receiving a lot of my chemo with kids and their parents and hearing about how they were trying to make ends meet," he said, adding that often one parent stops working to care for the child. "A lightbulb went off, and I thought, 'I will use this $35,000 for that.'" Because the initial funds were raised by friends of Musser who held a golf tournament, he decided to hold another. This year, the foundation will hold its 20th golf tournament at Foxchase Golf Club on Wednesday, June 23. A fundraising Cadillac dinner will be held at the Lancaster Country Club on Friday, Sept. 24.

In 2001, the Jeff Musser Foundation became an official nonprofit. Working with social workers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Penn State Hershey, and Nemours in Wilmington, Del., the organization works to alleviate financial obligations that can become burdensome. "We try to keep (the family) in their home, so we make mortgage payments, rents, utilities, and car payments," said Musser.

Larry Shirk, who helps the organization fundraise, said that the hospital social workers who contact Musser with information about families that need help are crucial to the system. Musser contacts referred families by phone when he is allowed and then sends requests to the organization's six-member board. Larry's wife, Judi, acts as administrator, getting checks to families in need. Over the last year or so, communication between Musser, board members, and the Shirks has been done electronically so the work of the foundation could continue.

"After this year, we will have given out $2 million," said Musser, who noted that donations were down significantly in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions. "The best way to help is to visit our website and donate money," shared Musser, adding that the organization is happy to accept checks. He pointed out that administrative costs are negligible. "We don't take any costs out," he said. "If you give us $100, (that) $100 goes to the families."

Readers who would like to know more about the organization and its work may visit https://jeffmusserfoundation.org/ or call 717-673-6333.