Tom Coughlin, the Super Bowl-winning coach of the New York Giants, and previously of the Jacksonville Jaguars, was inspired by tragedy to launch a foundation to help kids with cancer and their families.
Coach Coughlin was the head coach at Boston College where he had a player, Jay McGillis, who succumbed to leukemia while on the team. The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation was named in part for this brave player.
Growing from helping 20 families in 2005, to helping 663 families in 2014, the Jay Fund is accelerating its impact. In October, the Foundation raised $1.4 million for families in the New York/New Jersey area families.
On Thursday, December 18, 2014 at noon Eastern, Keli Coughlin, the coach’s daughter and Executive Director of the Foundation will join me for a live discussion about the work of the Jay Fund and its impact. Tune in here then to watch the interview live.
[At the time of the interview, I will insert a video player here. Bookmark this page and come back then to watch the interview live. Replays will be available here thereafter. If you have a question you’d like asked tweet me (@devindthorpe).]
More about the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation:
The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation was created in 1996 in honor of Jay McGillis. Jay was a special young man who developed leukemia while a member of Coach Coughlin’s team at Boston College. In the eight months between Jay’s diagnosis and the day he lost his battle with cancer, the Coughlin family saw first-hand the physical, emotional and financial strains the illness caused the McGillis family. After going through the tragic events with Jay’s family, Coach Coughlin vowed that if he ever had the chance, he would create a way to help families with children battling cancer. Coach Coughlin kept his vow and started a foundation to BE THERE in Jay’s honor. Since then the TC Jay Fund has evolved in size and scope, helping thousands of families in Northeast Florida and the New York/ New Jersey Metropolitan Area who are fighting childhood cancer.
Keli’s bio:
Keli began in a volunteer capacity with the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund in 1998 primarily focusing on the planning of the Celebrity Golf Classic under the tutelage of Fran Foley. Keli became passionate about the cause when she had the opportunity to meet some of the families helped by the Jay Fund. She gradually expanded her role in the Foundation and increased the services provided to families in need. Keli was named Executive Director for the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation August 1, 2004. Keli has made a significant impact on the growth of the Jay Fund and was instrumental in expanding the Jay Fund’s services to the NY/NJ area.
Keli earned an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from Auburn University and received her Masters of Science in Athletic Training from Michigan State University. Keli resides in Atlantic Beach, Florida with her husband and two daughters. Keli served as the Head Athletic Trainer at the University of North Florida prior to joining the Jay Fund full time.
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Devin D. Thorpe