GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MAY | JUNE 2018 61 we’re here in awe,” he said. “Plano’s a special place of family and con- cern and we’re humbled. When you’re battling a disease with as little backing as pediatric brain cancer, you can move mountains with the kind of help that Plano’s $100,000-plus means.” Team Jack’s Trifecta is just one of the organization’s many efforts. The 2018 calendar is filled with a gala, a road race, color out 5K, a radio- thon and directed donations. Year round the non-profit’s team, with justonestaffer,workstoprovideforclinicaltrialsforchildren,tobring new therapies to the United States, and to develop a pediatric brain tumor program at UNMC’s Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center to serve pediatric patients now traveling far to fulfill hope of treatment. “We’ve taken no less than 30 trips to Boston, and, while we’re grateful for the talent and expertise, it would be something for our children and their families to find services closer to home,” said Andrew. “The economics of medical crisis are overwhelming and building for our children to have a future is where we’re at.” Jack’s disease, surgeries, chemo treatments, numerous MRIs and 14 pills each day won’t keep him down. He may have permanently dis- ablingeffectsfromhiscancer,buthisspiritandhisfightfortreatments and a cure are also permanent. “We may not be out of the woods yet, but we’re going to make the most out of the time we’re in the woods,” said Andrew. “There’s no time to be anything but thankful for the moment we’re in.” For Rex Burkhead, a Plano hometown hero, dedicated and deter- mined to make a difference is just the way he is. “This is about a little boy who had a dream," said Rex, for whom Plano remains home in the off-season. “And I don’t know any different than to take that mo- ment when we met and make it last his whole life—and to have his life last a whole lot longer.” For more information or to make a donation to Team Jack, visit TeamJackFoundation.org or call 855.786.5225. Robyn Burkhead, (center, surrounded by Team Jack participants) who with husband Rick (not pictured) has supported her son Rex’s football passion since he was a child, continues to do so whether it’s cheering on her favorite New England Patriot or co-chairing the Team Jack Trifecta. Photo credit: Lisa Rothberg Jack Hoffman, left, with his parents Andrew and Brianna, and sisters Reese (front) and Ava, celebrating a New England Patriots game - and their favorite Patriot - Rex Burkhead. Jack, is the namesake and inspiration behind the Team Jack Foundation which has raised over $5 million for pediatric brain cancer re- search and patient support. Photo courtesy of the Hoffman Family Ameen Behbahani (forefront - Plano West/University of Houston alum) and Rex’s brother, Ryan Burkhead (top left - Plano Senior/Harvard University graduate) coached a crew of Team Jack Trifecta participants through a skills session. More than 350 kids and adults helped raise close to $70,000 at the March 24 Team Jack Trifecta, monies to support pediatric brain cancer research. Photo credit: Lisa Rothberg