A brother’s message: “Never give up, no matter what.”—Jessi Sanchez
After the two-day Edgar Sanchez Foundation Memorial Classic soccer tournament in 2009, Midwest CareCenter gratefully accepted a $4,500 check from the foundation’s co-founders, Jessi Sanchez and Othon Gomez. The 2010 five-on-five tournament again benefited our programs and services.
Touching lives
Jessi Sanchez established the foundation in 2008 in memory of his brother Edgar, who died in 2004 from a malignant brain tumor. During the last months of Edgar’s life, Jessi watched as his 18-year-old brother reached out to help more and more individuals, even as his illness worsened.
“He never complained about being sick—he went out and did everything he could for people.” Following in his brother’s footsteps, Jessi realized that helping others was rewarding. “Once you touch somebody, you realize that you’re hooked,” he reflected. “I can’t compare anything to it—money or anything. It’s something special.”
Jessi recalled that it was Edgar’s best friend, Othon, who encouraged him to start the foundation: “He said, ‘You gotta be somebody,’ so we made it official.” Jessi consults with Othon regarding every decision the foundation makes, including where to direct proceeds from the annual soccer tournament.
They chose Midwest CareCenter because they felt it provides a great service that “no one wants to talk about,” and the organization is small enough for the funds to make an impact. Jessi was especially impressed by the Midwest CareCenter charity care policy, which enables the organization to provide hospice services regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.
“When someone you love is dying, you feel lost. But the hospice staff takes care of everything,” he said. “They answer your questions—it’s like they have this checklist of what you are going to need. We had heard only good things about Midwest CareCenter … that you go above and beyond … that you care for underprivileged people. And that was why we wanted to help.”
A brothers role model
Six years after his brother’s death, Jessi, age 22, still thinks of Edgar as his most important role model. “He was my leader, my older brother by two years. I did everything he did—I played basketball, soccer and made the honor roll because I wanted to be like Edgar.”
So Edgar’s actions during the last months of his life resonated deeply with Jessi. Even though his prognosis was terminal, Edgar “never gave up.” He made sure that Jessi went jogging with him every day to stay in shape. He accepted a soccer scholarship to Aurora University. Jessi remembers that, during one soccer game, Edgar dribbled the ball through Jessi’s legs. “If you know anything about soccer, you know that is the ultimate sign of dominance. Even when he was at his weakest, I couldn’t reach my brother.”
Jessi continues to honor his brother’s legacy by being a dedicated student at DePaul University, where he’s studying marketing and finance. “Math was the one thing I could do better than Edgar,” he said, grinning. Jessi coaches three youth soccer teams for Team Evanston and strives to be a leader to his younger cousins. And, through his commitment to the Edgar Sanchez Foundation and contributions to organizations like Midwest CareCenter, he continues to help others … just like his brother did.
