On November 25, 2019, Jacob—a sweet, bright-eyed boy with a radiant smile—tragically passed away at just three years old, following a brave battle with pelvic embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive soft tissue cancer that primarily affects young children.

Diagnosed at only 16 months old, Jacob’s journey was marked by immense strength, courage, and the love of his family. Though his life was short, his legacy now lives on in the form of Jacob’s Join, a charitable fund that raises vital money for research into rhabdomyosarcoma and aims to create a better future for other children and families affected by this devastating disease.

Now, television personality and philanthropist Teresa Giudice has stepped forward to support Jacob’s legacy, using her platform to raise awareness and funding for the cause.

🌟 A Reality Star with a Real Heart

Best known for her fiery personality and glamorous lifestyle on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice is also a devoted mother and active supporter of children’s causes. After learning about Jacob’s story through the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG), Teresa was deeply moved and felt compelled to take action.

“As a mom, hearing Jacob’s story broke my heart,” Teresa shared in a recent interview. “No child should have to suffer like that, and no parent should have to say goodbye so soon. I knew I had to do something.”

Inspired by Jacob’s strength and the love his family poured into creating Jacob’s Join, Teresa joined forces with the CCLG to raise awareness and help fund crucial research into rhabdomyosarcoma. Through social media campaigns, fundraising events, and personal outreach, Teresa has helped shine a national spotlight on this rare cancer and the urgent need for more effective, less toxic treatments.

💛 Jacob’s Join: A Fund With Purpose

Jacob’s Join is a CCLG Special Named Fund, established by Jacob’s family to honor his memory and support groundbreaking research into rhabdomyosarcoma. The fund’s mission is to improve outcomes for children diagnosed with this cancer by investing in innovative research projects, supporting clinical trials, and advocating for new treatment approaches that are both more effective and less harmful to young bodies.

In just a few years, Jacob’s Join has already contributed to multiple studies focused on understanding the genetic drivers of rhabdomyosarcoma, improving early diagnosis, and refining treatments to minimize long-term side effects. With the support of donors and champions like Teresa Giudice, the fund continues to grow in impact and reach.

“By supporting this fund in Jacob’s name,” Teresa said, “we’re helping ensure that other families might not have to endure the same heartbreak. If just one child’s life is improved, extended, or saved, that’s progress—and that’s what Jacob would have wanted.”

🔬 The Need for Better Treatments

Rhabdomyosarcoma is an aggressive cancer that develops from skeletal muscle cells and most commonly affects children under the age of 10. Though rare, it is one of the most common soft tissue sarcomas in pediatric patients. Treatment typically involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation—often accompanied by significant side effects and long-term health risks.

Despite advances in cancer therapy, survival rates for children with certain types of rhabdomyosarcoma remain low, especially when the disease is diagnosed at a later stage or recurs after treatment. Many of the current treatment options were developed decades ago and have not significantly evolved, leaving families desperate for new hope.

“Research is the only way forward,” said a spokesperson for the CCLG. “Families like Jacob’s—and advocates like Teresa—are helping us push the boundaries of what’s possible.”

💬 A Family’s Gratitude

Jacob’s parents, Mark and Vanessa, expressed deep appreciation for Teresa’s involvement.

“We’re incredibly touched that someone like Teresa would take the time to honor Jacob in this way,” they said. “She’s helping us carry forward his memory in the most meaningful way possible—by fighting for children like him, and making sure their voices are heard.”

The family continues to work closely with the CCLG, and with Teresa, to expand the fund’s reach and invest in promising new research initiatives.

🤝 Community Coming Together

Beyond Teresa’s involvement, Jacob’s Join has inspired a groundswell of support from individuals, communities, and organizations across the UK and beyond. Bake sales, charity runs, social media challenges, and local events have all been organized to raise funds for the cause. Teresa herself recently hosted a charity dinner in New Jersey, raising over $50,000 in one night for rhabdomyosarcoma research.

“It was incredible to see people come together—not just as fans of the show, but as parents, friends, and human beings who care,” Teresa said. “That’s the kind of energy Jacob’s memory inspires.”

📣 A Message of Hope

As Teresa continues to use her influence to support Jacob’s Join, she hopes to encourage others in the public eye to get involved with similar causes.

“We all have a platform,” she said. “Whether it’s big or small, we can all use our voice to make a difference. Jacob’s story taught me that even in heartbreak, there can be hope. And together, we can build a future where more children survive—and thrive.”

🕊 Keeping Jacob’s Light Alive

Jacob’s story is one of love, courage, and legacy. Though his life was far too short, the impact he’s had—and continues to have—is immeasurable. Through Jacob’s Join and the support of advocates like Teresa Giudice, his light shines on, guiding a path toward healing, understanding, and one day, a cure.

To learn more about Jacob’s Join or to donate, visit:
👉 www.cclg.org.uk/jacobsjoin