Honoring Jeff
Jeffrey Fisher was diagnosed with Stage IV Anaplastic Astrocytoma, a type of malignant brain tumor. When originally diagnosed at age 21, Jeff was given only two months to live. During his battle, Jeff started a movement called Fishstrong, which he defined as "the absence of fear in the face of insurmountable odds." He used his diagnosis and his new-found perspective on life as a platform to reach out and help others. Although Jeff lost his fight to cancer after three years, the positive impact he had is profound and far-reaching. With his inspiring strength and indomitable positive attitude, he has become known for his heroism as people proudly wear the Fishstrong logo to promote Jeff's philosophy of gratitude and resiliency.
About the Foundation
The Fishstrong Foundation was originally established to support agencies that made a significant impact on Jeff Fisher and his family. The Fishstrong Foundation started off as an umbrella nonprofit of the Swansboro Rotary Foundation. The Fishstrong Foundation is now recognized charitable 501(c)3. The Foundation now has a primary focus of raising funds to assist North Carolina Families that are experiencing life altering illness's. Below are some of the recipients of funding:
- Carteret General Hospital Cancer Center: The money donated to the Carteret General Cancer Center of Carteret General Hospital will subsidize travel and lodging expenses for patients and their families.
- Swansboro Rotary Club's Rotary Club Scholarship Fund: The scholarship goals are to help cover travel expenses for a student to study abroad, advancing their college education and expanding their world experience.
- American Cancer Society's McConnell-Raab Hope Lodge, Greenville, NC.: The ACS McConnell-Raab Hope Lodge is a 20-room facility that houses cancer patients and their caregivers while they receive treatment and is the only Hope Lodge in North Carolina.
- American Cancer Society's AstraZeneca Hope Lodge, Boston, MA: The ACS AstraZeneca Hope Lodge is a 40-room facility where the Fishstrong Foundation will participate in the "Day of the Month" program, which will finance the Hope Lodge operations for a day in honor of Jeffrey.
- Several organizations that had assisted the family during Jeffrey’s battle
- The Family of a young lady killed in a tragic car accident
- The Family of a young man who has been diagnosed with brain tumors
- The Family of a young man who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor
- The Family of a 19-month old boy who is disabled
- The Family of a woman who has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer
- The family of a Newport boy diagnosed with a brain tumor
- The family of a Jacksonville man diagnosed with a brain tumor
- The family of a Hubert boy diagnosed with Leukemia
- A Swansboro family dealing with multiple illnesses
- The family of a Hubert boy diagnosed with Tuberous Sclerosis
- The Family of a boy diagnosed with a brain Tumor
- The family of a 17 month old boy diagnosed with Walker Warburg Syndrome
- St. Judes Children’s Hospital
- The family of a Richlands boy diagnosed with a brain tumor
- A young girl in Richlands fighting cancer who wanted to provide toys to other children in the treatment center
- A local Swansboro young man diagnosed with Leukemia
- An 8 month old little girl undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumor
- Swansboro High School after suffering the loss of a student
- Several scholarships for volunteers continuing their education
- The foundation has also donated items to local non-profits and schools
Our Future: The Fishstrong Foundation has changed it's primary focus from supporting agencies that had an impact on Jeffrey and his family, to support those in our local community that are experiencing life altering illness such as cancer, MS, etc. The Foundation will still help organizations and causes that had a significant impact on Jeffrey. The Foundation will also continue to support community enhancement projects that promote healthy living, recreation, conservation and service to others. Long term goals include the hope to begin a collaborative pilot program with local schools to support children who are diagnosed or have immediate family members diagnosed with a serious illness, such as cancer.
Contact Us:
Email: FishstrongFoundation@gmail.com
Phone: 910-326-4071
