'Loving, kind, empathetic, brave': Bridgewater boy, 7, dies of rare pediatric cancer
BRIDGEWATER — Jase Russell's family and friends say they will remember him for his massive heart, smile, energetic spirit, kindness and love.
Jase died on Feb. 29 after a four-plus-year battle with neuroblastoma, a rare form of pediatric cancer. He was 7 years old.
Jase, the son of Danielle and Joshua Russell of Bridgewater, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in December 2019 and underwent surgeries, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and stem cell transplants.
"Jase was an old soul — loving, kind, empathetic, brave, resilient, and silly," his obituary states. "He was also a relentless know-it-all (who was usually right). Above all, he was happy. So, so happy."
One of Jase's favorite things were trains. His support crew within his community and amongst his family and friends was called the "Jase Train."
"Thomas and Friends, sure, but mostly real trains. Steam engines and diesels. Locomotives and trams. Freight trains and passenger trains and high-speed trains and cogs. He loved them all," his obituary states.
"And you can be certain that they loved him right back. Have you ever noticed the grit of a train fighting an incline? Did you know trains smile when gravity works in their favor? Did you know a distant WhooWhoo is really a train saying 'I love you!'? Jase knew all this about trains, and he exemplified the same characteristics."
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Jase was forced to completely isolate throughout the COVID-19 pandemic because of his compromised immune system. But his community still made sure to show they had his back. In May 2020, dozens of vehicles formed a "Jase Train" and drove by the family's home in West Bridgewater where they lived at the time.
Even during his illness, Jase helped others battling cancer. Between a 2021 golf tournament and a multi-year lemonade stand, Jase and his family helped raise over $10,000 for childhood cancer. In 2023, they raised several thousand for Tommy's Place, a local nonprofit that provides families affected by childhood cancer with magical, expense-paid vacations.
"For more than half his life, Jase captained a truly incredible team that together fought neuroblastoma, a rare form of pediatric cancer," his obituary states. "Pediatric cancer — you'd be hard pressed to find an uglier combination of words, but there were many on Jase's team who courageously and deliberately chose to join this fight as their lifelong occupation."
Helping others 6-year-old battling neuroblastoma raises money for others impacted by cancer
In addition to trains, Jase loved iced coffee, Emma's pizza, mall pretzels, bacon, breakfast at Good Days, treats from White's Bakery, shopping at Target, the Lego store and FAO Schwartz, the New York City toy store seen in Home Alone, according to his obituary. He also enjoyed being outdoors, including going to the playground, swimming, fishing and riding his snowmobile and quad.
Much of Jase's treatments were done at Boston Children's Hospital, The Jimmy Fund Clinic and Memorial Sloan Kettering. His parents said they are indebted to the doctors and nurses at those places.
"Jase's memory will live on forever through those who could never stop loving him, nor love him any more than they still do," the obituary states.
Jase's family is raising money through the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for its solid tumor program. Donations can be made at danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/jasetrain.
Jase's obituary ends with a quote from Corrie ten Boom.
"When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer."
Enterprise senior reporter Cody Shepard can be reached by email at cshepard@enterprisenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Bridgewater's Jase Russell dies of neuroblastoma cancer at age of 7
