The Jester and Pharley Phund

We welcome donations of any amount to bring The Jester’s smile to children with cancer. Donations may be made as a tribute to a loved one and may be designated for a pediatric oncology center in your community.

“I pass at least one book out to each of the families I work with when a new diagnosis of cancer is determined. I, along with the parents, love the fact that only one reference to cancer is made in the book. It is nice to have a book that focuses on having a positive attitude through tough times, especially since I try to incorporate humor into my everyday practice with patients.”
--Child Life Specialist, Virginia

"Please continue with your efforts. The need is there – especially the need to link children and families with materials that will help get them through (and beyond) their cancer experiences."
--Child Life Specialist, Wisconsin

“David’s book offers a charismatic fusion of the realities of serious life events and the human capacity for resilience. Not only does The Jester Has Lost His Jingle provide beautifully crafted and entertaining illustrations, but the story also offers an opportunity for children to expand upon their own emotional health. The Jester encourages families to search for hope, love, and laughter that exist even when possibilities seem limited.”
--Children’s Program Coordinator, Maine

"The book has such a positive impact on everyone and it is a perfect fit to our literacy program at Childrens Hospital. It is really a pleasure to distribute this delightful book to the children because we hear the most wonderful comments from both the patients and their parents. They are often very surprised to learn that people outside our walls are thinking of them.”
--Volunteer Resources Manager, California


[Medical] [Smile Carts] [Smiles for Kids With Cancer] [Endorsements] [Hospital Partners]
	Smiles for Kids With Cancer
Our Smiles for Kids With Cancer project works to bring a copy of David Saltzman’s The Jester Has Lost His Jingle and a Jester & Pharley Doll to each of the 12,400 children expected to be diagnosed with cancer in the United States each year. We partner with more than 200 hospitals nationwide to make it possible for child life staff and social workers to give each newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patient a gift copy of the Jester book and doll provided by our supporters. The message of hope and laughter found in David’s award-winning book has been lifting the spirits of children with cancer since the book’s release in late 1995
		See How The Jester Helps Kids Cope With Cancer As part of our Smiles for Kids With Cancer Program, four-year-old Rena received The Jester Has Lost His Jingle while being treated at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She has heard the story so many times that she now "reads" it to her friends and family constantly. "It makes me feel so happy," Rena says with a big smile.
We welcome donations of any amount to bring The Jester’s smile to children with cancer. Donations may be made as a tribute to a loved one and may be designated for a pediatric oncology center in your community. “I pass at least one book out to each of the families I work with when a new diagnosis of cancer is determined. I, along with the parents, love the fact that only one reference to cancer is made in the book. It is nice to have a book that focuses on having a positive attitude through tough times, especially since I try to incorporate humor into my everyday practice with patients.” --Child Life Specialist, Virginia "Please continue with your efforts. The need is there – especially the need to link children and families with materials that will help get them through (and beyond) their cancer experiences." --Child Life Specialist, Wisconsin “David’s book offers a charismatic fusion of the realities of serious life events and the human capacity for resilience. Not only does The Jester Has Lost His Jingle provide beautifully crafted and entertaining illustrations, but the story also offers an opportunity for children to expand upon their own emotional health. The Jester encourages families to search for hope, love, and laughter that exist even when possibilities seem limited.” --Children’s Program Coordinator, Maine "The book has such a positive impact on everyone and it is a perfect fit to our literacy program at Childrens Hospital. It is really a pleasure to distribute this delightful book to the children because we hear the most wonderful comments from both the patients and their parents. They are often very surprised to learn that people outside our walls are thinking of them.” --Volunteer Resources Manager, California