Several Valley restaurants are participating in a “Toast for Jackson” fundraising campaign for a 16-year-old Chandler boy’s fight against cancer.
- Jackson Bickler is battling metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft-tissue cancer, and has been accepted into a promising medical trial in Germany.
- Because it’s not offered in the U.S., the treatment (which requires 11 trips to Germany) is not covered by his family’s insurance.
Fundraiser launched: Jackson loves cooking, so Crêpe Bar owner/chef Jeff Kraus (pictured above with Jackson) equipped him with a cooking apron and spatula and showed Jackson the ropes for a brunch shift.
- “He and his family’s journey is really difficult but yet they’re choosing to make everyday and every experience joyful,’’ Kraus says. ‘‘Jackson’s survivor mentality and good vibes inspired me to help further.’’
- Crêpe Bar addeded a special French toast dish to its menu with all proceeds this month going to Jackson’s treatment.
The campaign grows: Brightside Burgers, Proof Artisan Bread, and The Salted Knot in downtown Mesa and Taco Guild in Phoenix have joined the fundraiser with their own ‘‘Toast for Jackson’’ menu items this month (see their specials here).
- “We encourage everyone across the Valley to share a bite and raise a glass in a heartfelt toast to Jackson,” says Chelsea Sutton, organizer of the campaign and owner of The ConsultMent Agency.
Join the campaign: If you’re a local business interesting in supporting Jackson by featuring a special on your menu, a retail item, or donating an experience to Jackson, contact Sutton here.
- If you’d like to contribute directly to Jackson’s family, you can find their GoFundMe page here.
