'Princess' at heart of Riverview fundraiser

Jessica Rose Kohut loved playing with her Barbie dolls and Victorian dollhouse, "but most of all she liked dressing up as a princess," her mother, Maureen Massari, said.

Just before her fourth birthday in 2006, Jessica was diagnosed with a rare cancer. She underwent rounds of chemotherapy, surgery and other treatments for two years.

After that, it seemed she "was well on her way to a complete recovery," Massari said.

When the Children's Dream Fund granted Jessica's "dream vacation" wish, the little princess chose to stay at the Don CeSar hotel in St. Pete Beach.

That was "her favorite place to go," Massari said. "The big 'pink castle' is where she always said she was going to work as a princess when she grew up, and her friends would work for her in the castle."

Jessica, her mom and her three teenage brothers, Robert, Michael and Nicholas Gallo, spent six glorious days there in August 2008.

Things continued well for Jessica until January 2009. A blood transfusion complication at a routine visit resulted in her needing life support that afternoon.

Ten days later, Jessica died.

"Jessica was one of the strongest people I ever met," her mother wrote at www.jessicarosefoundation.org. "She faced every day with the courage that most people wished they had. She taught me patience. She gave me wisdom to share and strength to go on, especially when I thought I had none left. She inspired me to be a better person. She taught me what it means to have hope."

At her celebration of life ceremony, Jessica's brothers released live butterflies - lovely, gentle, strong butterflies that reminded them of their sister.

"Spreading hope on the wings of a butterfly" has become the motto of the Jessica Rose Foundation, which her mother founded to honor Jessica's life.

The nonprofit foundation shares Massari's daughter's legacy of hope and inspiration by financially assisting families of children with cancer.

The families' burdens extend beyond the obvious medical costs, Massari said. Parents often have to quit their jobs to become caregivers, travel long distances for treatments and cover co-payment charges. The foundation will tailor a plan to reimburse each family up to $1,000 for certain expenses.

Since the foundation's grand opening in February, four families have been helped. A recent generous donation to the foundation will enable it to sponsor a few more, Massari said. There is a waiting list of others who have been referred for assistance.

A golf tournament to raise money for the Jessica Rose Foundation will be held Oct. 2 at Summerfield Crossings Golf Club, 13050 Summerfield Blvd. Registration and lunch will begin at 11 a.m., with a shotgun start at 1 p.m.

"The profits will be used to support families in our local area that have a child that is battling pediatric cancer," said Aimee Ford, board member of the Jessica Rose Foundation and member of the tournament committee.

Golfers, volunteers and sponsors are needed, Massari said.

The cost is $110 per player or $400 per foursome and includes balls, tees, a boxed lunch, golfer's gift bag, contests, tickets for drawings, beverages, a dinner reception, live auction and an awards ceremony.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Jessica Rose Foundation Benefit Golf Tournament, to help families of children undergoing cancer treatment

WHEN: Oct. 2; registration and lunch is at 11 a.m., with a shotgun start at 1 p.m.

WHERE: Summerfield Crossings Golf Club, 13050 Summerfield Blvd., Riverview

COST: $110 per player or $400 per foursome

FOR INFORMATION: Contact Aimee Ford, (813) 657-8989; Maureen Massari at Maureen@jessicarosefoundation.org or (813) 451-6544; or go to www.jessicarosefoundation.org.