We want to take a moment to send a heartfelt thank you to Jamey Marrese and Arcadia Brewing Co. in Edmonton, AB for their incredibly thoughtful donation of $2,400 to Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC)!
The amazing donation was raised from sales of the That’s My J.A.M beer which was released in April 2024. The beer was brewed in honour of the life of Jon A. Marrese (J.A.M), as it proudly states on the can.
Jon died in November 2023 from colorectal cancer at the age of 39 after being diagnosed at 37.
Jon and Jamey experienced the complications of a young adult cancer diagnosis firsthand, and Jamey decided to raise money for YACC for this very reason.
“Jon and I found that resources and needs of young adult cancer patients were not fully met or understood by our healthcare system,” she said. “I would love to spread more awareness about the unique challenges these patients face.”
Jamey and her friends wanted to do something in memory of Jon, and they formed a partnership with Arcadia Brewing to do just that. Arcadia celebrated April as A Month of Kindness, and with the release of That’s My J.A.M, they donated $1 from every pint and four-pack sold. The release of That’s My Jam was celebrated with a kick off event on April 6, 2024.
The cans of That’s My J.A.M also featured lyrics from “Sink, Florida, Sink” by Against Me!, which was Jon’s favourite song.
“Not one more word tonightBetween here and thereWe’ll put a distance, the size of the oceanSo now this heart can beat a skipping rhythm”
– “Sink, Florida, Sink” by Against Me!
Jamey believes “young adults are a forgotten group with a cancer diagnosis” and are often overwhelmed and overlooked. Because of their generous fundraiser in honour of Jon, their donation will help increase awareness and access to YACC’s programs and support of young adults who are living with, through, and beyond cancer.
Thank you to Jamey Marrese, Jon’s friends and family, and Arcadia Brewing Co. for all of their hard work, and for choosing to support the YACC community!
All photos courtesy of Jamey Marrese.
