We recently connected with Amber Reiter and have shared our conversation below.
Amber, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
The mission of Jazmine’s Journey is deeply personal and stems from a painful yet profound chapter in my life. Our nonprofit was founded in honor of my daughter, Jazmine, who passed away at just 16 months old after battling Infant Leukemia. During her brief life, I witnessed the immense challenges that families face when their children are diagnosed with cancer — from the emotional and physical toll to the overwhelming financial burden.
Jazmine’s Journey is meaningful to me because it allows me to honor her memory while helping other families navigate similar struggles. We focus on providing direct support to families affected by pediatric cancer, whether it’s assistance with bills, groceries, or even just a listening ear. But just as importantly, we are dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research. Childhood cancer is in desperate need of funding, receiving only a small percentage of government research dollars. This critical area relies heavily on support from foundations and families like Jazmine’s Journey to help advance treatments and work toward a cure.
Through Jazmine’s Journey, we strive to turn the pain of our loss into purpose, creating a legacy of hope and action. We’re here to not only support families today but to help build a future where childhood cancer no longer robs children of their tomorrows.
Amber, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Amber, and I am the founder of Jazmine’s Journey, a nonprofit organization rooted in a deeply personal and meaningful mission. Jazmine’s Journey was established to honor my daughter, Jazmine, who passed away at just 16 months old after a brave battle with Infant Leukemia. Her journey, though short, left an indelible mark on my life, inspiring me to take action to help other families navigating similar challenges.
Jazmine’s Journey is dedicated to supporting families facing pediatric cancer while raising funds for critical childhood cancer research. We provide direct assistance to families, helping with bills, groceries, gas, and other essentials to ease the financial and emotional burdens of treatment. Additionally, we create meaningful events and opportunities, such as stuffed animal sponsorships, peer support groups, and fun family outings, to provide moments of joy and connection during incredibly tough times.
What sets Jazmine’s Journey apart is our dual mission: offering immediate, tangible help to families in need and contributing to the long-term fight against childhood cancer by funding much-needed research. Many people are unaware that childhood cancer research receives only a small fraction of government funding, making it essential for organizations like ours to step up and fill the gap.
I’m most proud of the positive impact Jazmine’s Journey has made so far—whether it’s through a family sharing their gratitude for financial assistance, children smiling during an event we’ve hosted, or a donation that helps advance pediatric cancer research. These moments remind me that Jazmine’s legacy lives on in the love and hope we are spreading.
For those who are just getting to know us, I want you to know that Jazmine’s Journey is more than just a nonprofit—it’s a community of people who believe that no family should face pediatric cancer alone and that every child deserves a fighting chance. We strive to create meaningful change while keeping Jazmine’s spirit alive, and we invite you to join us in this mission, whether it’s by attending an event, making a donation, or simply spreading awareness about the challenges faced by children with cancer.
Through Jazmine’s Journey, I’ve turned unimaginable grief into a source of purpose and hope. It’s my way of keeping Jazmine’s light shining brightly and ensuring her story inspires others to fight for a world where childhood cancer is a thing of the past.
How’d you meet your business partner?
Jazmine’s Journey’s Vice-President and Co-Founder is Nina R., who has been a dear friend of mine for over eight years. We met through cheerleading, where our daughters were not only teammates but also became fast friends. Their friendship brought us together, and we instantly connected.
After Jazmine passed away, Nina and I found comfort in hiking. Nina was already an avid hiker, and one day I mentioned that I’d love to join her. Hiking became a way for us to clear our minds and process life’s challenges. During one of our hikes, I shared the idea of starting a nonprofit to honor Jazmine’s memory. Nina immediately supported the idea, and our conversations began to focus on how we could make it happen.
From that point forward, we committed to weekly meetings where we brainstormed, researched, and planned every detail of launching Jazmine’s Journey. We learned what it would take to turn the dream into reality, and with determination and teamwork, we made it happen.
Nina’s unwavering support and shared vision have been instrumental in the success of Jazmine’s Journey. Together, we’ve built a nonprofit that not only honors Jazmine’s legacy but also makes a meaningful impact on families facing pediatric cancer.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
Funding Jazmine’s Journey was truly a team effort between myself and our Vice-President/Co-Founder, Nina R. From the very beginning, we were both deeply committed to turning our vision into reality. To get started, Nina and I pooled our personal funds to cover the initial costs of establishing the nonprofit.
This included filing the necessary paperwork to become a registered 501(c)(3) organization, as well as purchasing the materials and resources we needed to launch. We felt honored to use our own funds to take these first steps toward building something so meaningful. It was a way to show our love for Jazmine and our dedication to supporting families facing pediatric cancer.
Starting small and building from our shared commitment has made the journey all the more meaningful. Every step of the way, we’ve remained focused on creating an organization that not only reflects our passion but also makes a tangible difference in the lives of others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jazminesjourney.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/_jazminesjourney_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JazminesJourney
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jazmines-journey/
- Other: Jazmine’s Journey Story written by Amber R.
https://www.amazon.com/Jazmines-Journey-Amber-Reiter/dp/B0C6P9XRYK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=26WQJ6KDD2OI3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gwvejmtYvumlMMCv6-599CHxUrS7-Oq-pbqARbyq9ny4APwwByvv2AyNvfj6uEYfVToJhhREkkY2Oin8bHSsM4OFOfxvgeqBCGjdkhAXwy8yNSjrnOrdoliI3Zu9wcR7aDuDyhU-9HVKH-qEU1esbQ.WFuTjGQd4phKH_qq_jUI9_zwLISeRxEkw7fgVFvRKzA&dib_tag=se&keywords=jazmines+journey&qid=1734297447&sprefix=jazmines+journey%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-1
Image Credits
All photos taken with Amber’s cell phone.