Jac’s Pack was founded by Natalie Lessing in honor of her sister Jacqueline Mary
Mohr. The reason for starting the organization is to help those people who are
going through the same tribulations that Natalie and her family endured through
such difficult times. Assisting Natalie in her effort to fight this disease are
her husband Christopher Lessing, and lifelong family friend and classmate of
Jackie, Laura Blasberg. Natalie, Chris and Laura are the board for Jac’s Pack.
As the board they will be responsible for all aspects of team building,
fundraising and donations from Jac’s Pack to its beneficiaries.
Jac’s Pack is a non-profit corporation aiming to raise funds and awareness for
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a rare form of cancer that generally affects children
and young adults. The goal of Jac’s Pack is to assist in the funding for
research of RMS. We will do this through participating in various athletic
events to show the strength needed to fight this illness that attacks the very
muscles needed to compete. Proceeds will go to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer
Center to promote the research of this very underfunded and too often fatal form
of cancer
Sarcomas are cancers that develop from connective tissues in the body, such as
muscles, fat, membranes that line the joints, or blood vessels. There are many
types of sarcomas. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a cancer made up of cells that normally
develop into skeletal muscles. About 7 weeks into the development of an embryo,
rhabdomyoblasts (cells that will eventually form skeletal muscles) begin to
form. These are the cells that can develop into the cancer called
rhabdomyosarcoma.
To find out more about Rhabdomyosarcoma, please visit www.cancer.org.
Jac’s Pack was formed to honor the strongest, most inspirational person, friend,
and sister I was blessed to have known in my life, Jacqueline Mohr. Jackie was
diagnosed with RMS at the tender age of 16, and fought every step of the way
with nothing less than a smile, and words of encouragement. The tragedy of
losing her is indescribable, but with the loving support of wonderful family and
friends, I learned she lives forever in our hearts. Today I am married to a
wonderful man, and have been blessed with three phenomenal boys. I wish they, as
so many others I have met during my life, could have known Jackie, so that’s
when the thought arose to form a corporation honoring her. Jac’s inspirational
words touched so many lives, it is my honor to carry out her extraordinary
deeds, and keep changing lives of others. Jackie’s motto was “Keep Smiling,” so
come and join our Pack to let smiles continue for others affected by RMS.