Children are a natural light in the world. They bring love, laughter and hope to everyone around them. But when 2-year-old Jake Matthew Staniszewski lost his battle with cancer in 2014, that light was dimmed. Upon hearing of Jake’s illness before his passing, Massapequa Park resident Ashley Wade knew she wanted to be a part of his life.
The 23-year-old recent college graduate founded the Ashley Wade Foundation in 2012, after being diagnosed in 2010 with Crohn’s Disease at the age of 17. The foundation is a 501c3 charitable organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children suffering from chronic illnesses.
“After spending a lot of time in doctor’s offices and hospitals, I saw just how many children suffer everyday… I wanted to bring them happiness and comfort,” said Wade, who was in the hospital during Christmas and was given a gingerbread house from a visitor. “Even at 17, that took my mind off my illness and pain. It was in that moment that I vowed to bring happiness to other children and to give back to the hospital that took such good care of me.”
Wade’s foundation affords her many blessings, including the opportunity to meet “the most beautiful and brave little souls.”
“Jake was an incredible little boy that I was lucky to have spent time with. From the moment I met Jake, I fell in love with his spirit and bravery,” said Wade of the toddler, who battled alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive pediatric cancer. “Jake had the most vibrant personality, heart-warming smile, and the most beautiful blue eyes. In the face of sickness, Jake never ceased to amaze me with his strength, laughter and love that he shared.”
As Jake’s cancer progressed, Wade knew that she wanted to do something special to honor him and his family. That’s when she got the idea for Jake’s Jammies.
“Most children do not want to be in hospital gowns…they want to be in comfy, fun pajamas, anything that can make their hospital stay feel more like home and give them some normalcy,” said Wade. “Jake’s Jammies is all about Jake in every detail, all the way down to what color ribbon we wrap the pajamas in, which is done in yellow because that was Jake’s favorite color.”
Wade spoke with Jake’s dad, Mark, about doing Jake’s Jammies and he was happy with the idea.
“Jake was very sick and it was a very hard time for their family so I wanted them to just focus on Jake and the time they had with him,” she said.
Wade partnered with realtor Mara Navaretta of Woodbury and her agency, Homes by Mara Realty in Syosset this past holiday season for a pajama drive, which took place from Nov. 1 through Dec. 20. More than 300 pajamas were collected for Wade’s foundation. Good Samaritan in Islip and Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola were among the hospitals that received pajamas. Additionally, some of the pajamas will be donated to The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island.
“It is with great honor and privilege that we participated in the Ashley Wade Foundation’s Jake’s Jammies pajama drive,” said Navaretta, who has an 11-year-old daughter. “Being a mother myself, I cannot help but feel great admiration for these children and their families, who continue to show such tremendous strength and courage.”
Upon kicking off the pajama drive, Navaretta and several of her agents contributed their own store-bought pajamas to the drive. They also attended the foundation’s holiday party and met Jake’s family.
“Our hearts are extremely grateful to Mara and Homes By Mara Realty for their generosity and compassion for our Superstars and for Jake’s Jammies,” said Wade.
Wade also extended her gratitude to the wonderfully supportive community in which she lives. She credits the parents and schools in Massapequa with helping to spread the word.
“I posted a request asking if children would collect pajamas to donate to sick children as part of our Kids Helping Kids program and within a couple days, I had local moms dropping off new pairs of pajamas and kids who had collected them for their birthdays instead of gifts,” said Wade, who visited the Staniszewski family after Jake passed away and informed them of the success of Jake’s Jammies.
“Jake’s family is extremely grateful and happy that Jake will always be honored through the Ashley Wade Foundation,” said Wade.
Jake’s Jammies is a year round program where donations are always appreciated and welcomed.
“The only thing I can do is wake up each morning and do good for all the children who deserve so much more as well as for all the children who have gone to heaven too soon,” said Wade. “These families teach you the true meaning of unconditional love and their strength never ceases to amaze me.”
Each month, the Ashley Wade Foundation brings collected pajamas to local hospitals and gives them out to children in their pediatric unit. The Ashley Wade Foundation brings happiness, hope and support to children and families through various programs. For more information, visit www.ashleywadefoundation.org.
