A Fairfield-area fundraising effort is underway this September in memory of Jack Polonsky, a 15-year-old Fairfield High School student who passed away on July 23rd, 2025 following a courageous battle with T-cell Lymphoma, with 100 percent of donations going directly to the Pediatric Cancer and Hematology Fund at the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
The campaign is being organized by Jack’s mother, Kristi Polonsky, alongside Jerrod Belzer — Jack’s cross country coach — and Fairfield Superheroes. September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, and the group is using the occasion to raise as much money as possible in Jack’s honor while shining a light on the critical underfunding of pediatric cancer research. The effort is being called Go Gold Week, named for the gold ribbon that represents pediatric cancer awareness.
Kristi Polonsky shared the story behind her son’s diagnosis and the mission she now carries forward in his name. “When Jack was 12, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma,” Polonsky said. “He received chemotherapy for about two and a half years, then relapsed just four months later. Five months after that, he passed away in my arms.” She described Jack as one of the bravest and kindest people she has ever known. Jack was a soon-to-be sophomore at Fairfield High School who was active in Student Council, Future Business Leaders of America, choir, and cross country. He was known for his easy smile, his love for the Detroit Lions, and his ability to light up every room he entered. He hoped his story would lead to better therapies so children would not have to endure so much pain to get better. “I cannot bring my son back, but I hope to make a difference for the children who come after him,” Polonsky said.
Polonsky reached out to Fairfield Community Schools and Little Superheroes to help organize the awareness effort. “Fairfield Community Schools and Little Superheroes offered tremendous support to Jack and our family throughout his illness,” she said. “They continue to show how much they care by allowing me to pay that kindness forward.” The campaign has also drawn support from several local businesses and organizations who stepped up as sponsors.
Belzer said the campaign is about more than raising money — it is about honoring Jack and pushing the cause forward in a meaningful way. “We really want this week to honor Jack and all the other kids and families affected by pediatric cancer,” Belzer said. “Just as importantly, we want to be a tangible part of progressing this cause forward so that one day kids and families no longer have to suffer through pediatric cancer.”
A key focus of the campaign is the stark disparity in federal cancer research funding. Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children in the United States, yet historically only about 4% of federal cancer research funding has gone toward childhood cancer. “We really want to shine a light on the fact that only 4% of federal cancer research funding goes to childhood cancer,” Belzer said. “We have a great group of elected officials in the State of Iowa that have worked to get state dollars going directly into pediatric cancer research but there’s still so much progress to be made.”
Polonsky also highlighted what that underfunding means for children in treatment and beyond. Most treatments used for pediatric cancer are developed for adults and then adjusted by body weight for use in growing bodies — a far from ideal approach for children and adolescents whose bodies are still developing. Survivors face high risks of secondary cancer, relapse, and heart and lung damage later in life. Between 60 and 90 percent of childhood cancer survivors develop at least one chronic health condition — a sobering reminder that saving a child’s life should not mean sacrificing their future. Go Gold Week is designed not just to raise money, but to educate the community about these realities and advocate for more targeted research and better therapies specifically developed for children.
Today’s cures exist because someone funded yesterday’s research — and Belzer and Polonsky believe that local donations can be a meaningful part of driving tomorrow’s breakthroughs. Community members are encouraged to donate by scanning the QR code available through the campaign or by visiting jackspromise.com. All donations support the Pediatric Cancer and Hematology Fund at University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital, with 100 percent of contributions going directly to research, treatment, and hope for Iowa kids.
Polonsky is also encouraging the community to Go Gold — the color of pediatric cancer awareness — at upcoming Fairfield events. Fairfield volleyball hosts Washington on Tuesday, September 8th, and the home cross country meet is Thursday, September 10th. “We are encouraging everyone to Go Gold in attendance and stand with kids with cancer,” Polonsky said. Looking ahead, Polonsky hopes the effort grows beyond Fairfield. “Next year, I would love to see more schools join in Go Gold in September,” she said.
Partners supporting the campaign include the Fairfield Community School District and Fairfield Superheroes. Sponsors include Jefferson County Health Center, Dexter Laundry, Overland, and Agri-Industrial.
