Meet the Wongs: Finding Grief Support and Hope After Leukemia

Some people leave a lasting impact in a very short time. JJ Wong was one of them. She was a little girl who loved the color purple and had a gentle, quiet spirit that could light up a room.

In December 2023, the Wongs' world shifted in a way no family can ever truly prepare for. At seven years old, JJ was diagnosed with leukemia.

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She passed away just 17 days later.

“Shock, anguish, and horror don’t even begin to describe how we felt,” her parents, Jeremy and Brooke, shared. “It was the darkest chapter of our lives.”

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“Death is just not a big deal.” – JJ

Even as the days grew difficult, JJ remained full of a strong, quiet courage.

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“Even though she was in pain, she stared death right in the face with so much confidence in Jesus that it still amazes us to this day,” recalls her dad, Jeremy.

JJ would often tell them: “Death is just not a big deal.”

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Finding a place to breathe

In the middle of the heavy grief, the Wong family found the Austin Hatcher Foundation. Sometimes, support looks like a therapy session; other times, it looks like a young boy finally getting to step onto a real racetrack—a dream JJ's brother had only ever imagined.

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That day became a turning point for them. It wasn't just a distraction; it was a way to feel like a family again. Now, it’s a tradition they carry forward. Last year, JJ’s name was proudly displayed on the track as part of IMSA's first-ever Resilient Racers program—a way to keep her legacy alive while celebrating her family’s strength.

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A community that carries the weight

While their son found joy on the track, Brooke found a different kind of strength in the Austin Hatcher Foundation's grief group. It was a place where she didn't have to explain her pain because everyone in the room already understood it.

“That group carried me,” Brooke says. “It was so emotionally hard to attend, but it was also so easy because of the love, care, and attention I received. I knew I needed that care.”

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Whole-family care, for life.

At the Austin Hatcher Foundation, the Wongs will always have a space to grieve, a space for their son to be seen, and a space to navigate life after loss, together.

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This is what whole-family care looks like in action. It’s care that meets every person where they are, for as long as they need it.

Because no family should ever have to carry this alone.

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Change the Way Families Face Cancer

The Wongs’ story is a powerful reminder that pediatric cancer doesn't just affect a patient—it impacts every parent, sibling, and grandparent left in its wake. At the Austin Hatcher Foundation, our mission is to provide 100% free, comprehensive care to the entire family for the rest of their lives.

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But we cannot bridge these gaps alone. We invite you to join our mission of providing hope and healing. Whether you are a family in need of support or a community member looking to make an impact, there is a place for you here.

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Learn More: Discover our Whole-Family Care Model.

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Get Involved: Explore Volunteer Opportunities in our family programs or community events.

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Give Hope: Donate today to keep our services free for families like the Wongs.

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