Don't give up, give out

Jaxon's F.R.O.G. Foundation helps fund pediatric brain cancer research

BY Allison Ignacio

Jaxon Davis delivers toys he purchased for other pediatric cancer patients. Photo courtesy of Lenzie Davis.

Lenzie and Cory Davis of San Antonio fell in love with their son from the moment they heard his heartbeat.

“We nicknamed him ‘the heart’ in utero,” says Lenzie. “It’s the first thing we loved about Jaxon and what led to his legacy – his heart and his ability to love and give to so many.”

Jaxon was 5 when he died after an almost two-year fight with brain cancer, specifically a supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor. In addition to treatments received elsewhere, Jaxon underwent six weeks of brain and spine proton radiation therapy at MD Anderson.

Jaxon Davis. Photo by Snap Happy Portraits.

“The whole time Jaxon was sick, his focus was always on the other kids,” says Lenzie. Jaxon filled welcome bags with toys and blankets for children arriving at the Proton Therapy Center and distributed various items to bring smiles to the other children. In his final months, he evolved his efforts to reach out to children in hospice care. Today, his family continues to run these programs through the Jaxon’s F.R.O.G. (Fully Rely On God) Foundation.

The foundation raises funds to aid in childhood cancer research and to provide support for pediatric patients. It recently contributed $14,754 to the NOAH Protocol at MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital. The amount represents each of the 14,754 U.S. children diagnosed with cancer the same year as Jaxon.

“Jaxon’s motto was ‘don’t give up, give out’,” says Lenzie. “I think we all have the ability to give. There’s no minimum or maximum age to kindness. We want to encourage others to impact lives, just as much as Jaxon did.”

NK cells on the hunt

The NOAH Protocol aims to reduce and eliminate several types of pediatric brain cancer by using "natural killer" (NK) cells found within white blood cells. The NK cells are trained to hunt for brain tumors, then inserted directly into the diseased area through a surgical procedure developed by David Sandberg, M.D., associate professor, Department of Neurosurgery, co-director of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Program at MD Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital.

"Jaxon's motto was 'don't give up, give out.' I think we all have the ability to give. There's no minimum or maximum age to kindness."

Lenzie Davis

Founder, Jaxon's F.R.O.G. Foundation

More Stories From Promise

A message from Dr. DePinho

A word from the president

PUTTing an end to cancer

The world of professional golf is laden with hazards, from fairway bunkers to sand traps and ponds. MD Anderson is partnering with the PGA TOUR in hopes of fighting one of the most dangerous hazards of them all: the sun.

Home team advantage

Three-time survivor finds hope in MD Anderson care, support

Moon Shots Program Overview

MD Anderson's Moon Shots Program is an unprecedented, comprehensive assault to significantly reduce deaths from cancer.

iPromise

Corky Hilliard, of Austin, is a tongue cancer survivor and the founder of Hilliard Resources, an organizational strategies and consulting company. Active in her community, Hilliard passionately defends the rights of the homeless. Here, she reflects on the inner peace she found at MD Anderson.

Survivors Say

Perry Rupp, of Roanoke, Texas, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and underwent a stem cell transplant in 2012. Today, you’ll find him hiking, biking and driving his RV cross country, visiting as many national parks as possible along the way. He credits his recovery to the incredible doctors and nurses at MD Anderson.