MACON, Ga. — On Wednesday, it's damage control at a Macon cancer foundation. On Tuesday, someone burglarized Jay's Hope Foundation, which helps families with childhood cancer through social, emotional, spiritual, educational and financial support.
"I think the destruction is the most hurtful to me. More than them just stealing from us," Founder Cindy Gaskins said.
She said on top of the destruction, someone got away with stealing their valuables at their Macon office on Forsyth Street.
"Our gift cards were stolen. There were computers that were stolen, some checks," she said.
Gaskins said they use the gift cards for meal and gas tickets when families travel for treatment. Someone also got away with their gifts for cancer patients and their siblings, and donations for an upcoming fundraising event.
Gaskins started the foundation 18 years ago in honor of her son Jay Gaskins.
"He was always thinking of other people. And when we were on treatment he was always worried about his other little buddies going through treatment and wanting to pray for them at night," she said.
Her son passed away from brain cancer in 2006 when he was five. Since then, Jay's Hope Foundation has helped several thousand other families battling childhood cancer.
Families, like the Grayer's. Shadarra Grayer's daughter Haleigh Grayer was born with a brain tumor, and they've been supported by Jay's Hope Foundation for about two years.
"Every time we go to an appointment we don't have to worry about gas, food. They also help us with hotel stay for MRI's," Grayer said.
Through a partnership with Geico, they even helped bless her family with a new car last year, after their old car was damaged in a wreck.
"They become friends to us, family to us so we, we wouldn't know where to turn if we didn't have Jay's Hope," Grayer said.
Since posting about the damage on Facebook, Gaskins said they are touched by everyone who reached out to help them recover.
"There's so much evil in this world, but something like this just reminds you of all the good that we still have in this world," Gaskins said.
If you'd like to help them recover, Gaskins said they could use food and gas gift cards that they give to families traveling for treatment and appointments. They prefer gift cards to places like Subway, Chick FIl-A, Dunkin' and other chains nearby downtown Macon, but any gift cards are appreciated, including blank Visa and MasterCard ones.
If unable to drop them off, they can also mail gift cards to their address at 1157 Forsyth Street, Ste B in Macon.
Another option is giving online at their donation page. Gaskins said they’re also looking for volunteers now more than ever. They said that people can sign up on their website.
If you have any information on the burglary, you can call the Bibb County Sheriff's Office at 478-751-7500.