About Jay’s Hope

Jay’s Hope was created in memory and honor of Jay Burger. Just 24-years-old, and a proud University of Iowa graduate and loyal member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, Jay lost his courageous battle with bone cancer June 25, 2016.

Jay’s Hope not only honors Jay’s unmatched strength – the foundation has allowed his strength and hope to be extended to other young adults beginning their own fight. The shield design of the Jay’s Hope logo represents both Jay’s warrior strength and lasting impact he had on so many. While a cancer diagnosis is difficult at any age – for a young adult it brings unique challenges. Caught between the world of a child not fully aware of what lies ahead and an adult matured with coping skills– young adults often fall through the cracks.

Thank you for supporting Jay’s Hope so that other college students and young adults battling cancer will have a source of strength and hope to lift their spirits, lighten their worries and brighten their day as they brave their battle.

Thanks to our generous supporters, in our first three years, Jay’s Hope has issued hope grants to four young adults battling cancer, supported the opening of the Chicago Bulls Teen Lounge at Advocate Children’s Hospital – Oak Lawn and has supported the Kids, Cubs, Cactus annual trip to Spring Training with medically fragile young patients over the last two years. And there is much more to do….

Jay Burger

Jay Burger was born November 20, 1991 in Houston, Texas to proud parents Kelly Jo Golson and James Burger. After moving to Batavia his freshman year in high school, he graduated from Batavia High School in 2010. Jay graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor degree in Marketing in 2014. At Iowa, Jay was an active member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity – a place he met an amazing group of young men that he cherished as friends.

Jay was a well-rounded young man – handsome, intelligent, loyal and outgoing. Above all else, family and friends always came first for Jay. His commitment to those he loved was felt deeply by all of us who adored him and those strong bonds of love will remain unbroken for an eternity.

Jay had a zest for life that never fizzled despite his 20-month battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma. He was a true hero, fighting with every ounce of strength to his last breath. Jay lost his courageous battle with bone cancer June 25, 2016. He is remembered as a best friend, amazing brother, remarkable son and resilient warrior like no other.

Go rest high on that mountain our beloved Jay – while you will continue to light our world here – we so look forward to the day we are reunited once again.

Events

2023 Jay’s Hope Chicago Marathon Team

To support Jay’s Hope Team, please consider making a contribution below.  All dollars raised go directly to Jay’s Hope to provide support and hope for college students battling cancer. If you are interested in taking on 26.2 miles and raising funds for this worthy cause, please email us.

Thank you to Audacy for their generous support of Jay’s Hope.

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7th Annual Jay’s Hope Golf Tournament

Thanks to the generosity and support of our sponsors, volunteers and another sold out field of golfers – the 7th Annual Jay’s Hope Golf Tournament was a huge success. We raised nearly $70,000 to further our mission of offering hope and support to college students and young adults battling cancer. A highlight of this year’s tournament was Mark Golson’s hole-in-one which included a Bronco Sport courtesy of Bull Ford. If you missed the story – here is the link to WGN’s story.

We hope that you will continue to follow the work of Jay’s Hope at www.JaysHope.net as we finalize our new grants to deserving unimaginable challenges. We also will soon be sharing exciting details of our Jay Burger Endowment at the University of Iowa – dedicated to providing support to students who are battling cancer. All of this is made possible by our generous supporters!

We hope you will join us at the 8th Annual Jay’s Hope Golf Tournament on July 29, 2024 at Eagle Brook Country Club in Geneva, Illinois.

Past Events

7th Annual Jay’s Hope
Golf Tournament

Chicago Bulls Teen
Lounge Dedication

Jay’s Hope Second Annual
Golf Tournament

Jay’s Hope First Annual
Golf Tournament

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