A First of Its Kind Partnership
Photo Credit: Dave Burk Photography LLC 2015
Grant recipient referrals come through our exclusive partner: Northwestern Medicine.
Northwestern social workers vet and refer families.
Working directly with a team of social workers and oncologists who know the patients and their stories firsthand, we are able to prioritize the individuals and families with the greatest need for rapid financial relief, to ensure the support is both targeted and timely.
"The cost of cancer shows up in every aspect of life, and so many of our patients are not prepared to manage the increased costs associated with cancer.
JRFS is giving peace of mind to patients so they can focus on their treatment and navigate their cancer journey."
Katie Janak (LCSW), Oncology Social Work Manager, Northwestern Medicine
Rapidly Responding to Urgent Needs
This direct funding model is especially important right now.
With federal funding cuts squeezing support systems, social workers are often trying to find ways to bridge gaps.
1
Northwestern Team Identifies Patient and Family in Need
Ongoing
We don’t ask families to apply or relive their hardship through a long intake process. The social workers assigned to patients at Northwestern already know who is in urgent need and what the family is facing.
2
JRFS Foundation Receives Application and Contacts Grantee
1 Week
There are 11 oncology social workers supporting current patients and families across the region and JRFS funding is distributed across each social worker. Whenever a patient in need is identified, the social worker sends us a candidate. We reach out within days of receiving the referral.
3
Grant Recipient Receives Funds Via Check and Gift Cards
2 - 3 Days
We cut a check and deliver it to the patient and their families within a couple of weeks, often just a few days, so support can be deployed quickly when timing matters most.
“The ability to have a check provided to a patient to meet an immediate need is incredible.
Most grants operate on a specific schedule, or only once a year.
When grants are not available, we look to state and local resources like food banks, city and township emergency resources, and state funded programs like SNAP and Medicaid. Those programs can take weeks or months to navigate, and someone may not always qualify.
JRFS allows for patients' needs to be addressed quickly, avoiding a true crisis from unfolding.”
Katie Janak (LCSW)
Oncology Social Work Manager,
Northwestern Medicine
“Northwestern told us no one else was doing anything like this. The vast majority of donations go to funding research, and there is no money to give back to families.
We knew we had to do something to change that.”
-Jeff Schwartz, Founder, JRFS Foundation
“It’s impossible to describe the feeling in the room when we gave that first grant. But it really felt like a silver linings moment.”
Jeff Schwartz, Founder, JRFS Foundation
Recent Recipients
Ashley Clemens (42)
In November 2025, she was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer. Since then, she and her husband have been making a 3-hour roundtrip each week to Northwestern in Oakbrook, IL to get the care she needs, while also parenting two young kids at home.
JRFS is honored to step in with rapid, practical relief—help with essentials like transportation and everyday needs—so Ashley and her family can keep their energy where it belongs: on healing, on home, on each other.
Each JRFS recipient receives:
$10,000 in cash
$2,000 in gift cards
Total: $12,000 for each family