Legacy lives on for Yukon’s Jarred Hayes
The holiday season can be difficult for families who have lost loved ones. But out of tragedy, something very positive can come.
Jarred Hayes’ story is one of those.
Like most young boys, Hayes played sports while growing up in Yukon. Basketball was his passion.
He played on the basketball team at Yukon High School until being diagnosed with a brain tumor as a sophomore in 2000. Hayes died later that year, but thanks to some of his friends, he is still impacting the lives of others nine years later.
Hayes’ friends organized a golf tournament in his honor, with proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald Foundation. In three years, the tournament has raised nearly $25,000 after bringing in $10,000 back in September.
“We chose the Ronald McDonald Foundation, because Jarred’s parents would stay at the Ronald McDonald House when they would go to Dallas for Jarred’s treatment,” said Josh Mueggenborg, one of the friends who headed up the development of the memorial golf tournament. “It all comes back to helping kids in same situation as Jarred.”
The tournament raised so much money, that when Children’s Hospital built a new wing earlier this year, one of the rooms was named in Hayes’ honor. It’s called “Jarred’s Place.”
His mother designed it in a sports theme with memorabilia from Hayes’ favorite teams, the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Cubs, so that the room really does feel like Jarred’s place.
Out-of-town families of children at the hospital can use the room to try to rest during their child’s stay at the hospital.
On Friday, Jarred’s mother, father and two younger brothers will celebrate Christmas without him for the 10th time. But thanks to Jarred’s continuing legacy, they can know he is touching the lives of other children and their families at the holidays.
Tragedy turned positive.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
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Comments
Scott,
What an awesome article! The guys who organize the tournament do an awesome job. There is so much negativity in the world, it is so nice to see such a nice article about something that can impact so many people in such caring way. I would rather read articles such as this as every bad thing that happens in the world. It just lets you know there is still kindness, and giving in the world.
I toured the Ronald McDonald House, and Jarred’s room, it is awesome, all the rooms were great. As Jack says it gives the families a place to rest, regroup, and find the inner strength and peace to continue on with their situation.
Thanks for an awesome article.
Scott-
I really appreciate this article, it was very well done. Jarred was such a positive influence on so many of us and we hope to have this tournament as a reminder of his memory for many years to come. We are so thankful for all of the help from everyone who supports the Jarred Hayes Memorial Golf Tournament, they are the reason it has been such a success. I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas.
As grandparents of Jarred Hayes, we experienced first hand how a family can instantly become devistated by a sudden illness of a child. In their time of saddness, their family and friends were there for them.
Having the Ronald McDonald house in Dallas was a blessing to the family.
We toured the Ronald McDonald House and Jarreds room. They were very well done and we know that lots of families will be comforted when they can be close to their love ones during their illness.
We would like to say how much we appreciate everyone that is involved in the Jarred Hayes Memorial Golf Tournament. They are Awsome.
Thanks for the article.
Dear Scott,
It is hard to believe that it has been 9 years since Jarred has passed. Jarred had such a positive impact on so many lives during his short time with us. Jarred was a caring child who was full of life. He taught us about love, courage and strength everyday.
Jarred’s wonderful group of friends, Tyler Thompson, Josh Muggenborg and Daniel Drake along with family and friend’s continue to honor Jarred’s memory each year by hosting a golf tournament to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of OKC. The Ronald McDonald House in Dallas was a place of refuge for Jarred and our family during Jarred’s illness. It provided us with peace of mind during a very stressful time. While in Dallas, Jarred had a profound effect on the staff and other patient’s at the Ronald McDonald House. He continued his positive, loving nature that was so soothing to others leaving a little piece of himself with each person he met. Jarred found friend’s every where he went.
Today, you can visit OU Children’s Hospital, 6th floor and see the Ronald McDonald Family Room and visit Jarred’s Room, which was funded by the Jarred Hayes Memorial Golf Tournament. It is heartwarming to know that even through our tragic loss of Jarred, his loving nature is being remembered and helping others.
Thank you for remembering him, a wonderful young man who is missed. I would also like to thank all who continue to support the Jarred Hayes Memorial Golf Tournament and Ronald McDonald House Charities of OKC.
Sincerely,
Shari Hayes Harrell
Jarred’s Mother
thank you so much.for doing this article on jarred hayes he was a wonderful friend to many an wonderful big brother an son to his family i may have known him for a very short time while attending yuon high school….but no matter what your mood was when you entered the classroom or mood when you got to school that morning he always made you smile an laugh…or done something silly just to make you laugh.. he always had a good ear an listended to your problem an gave advice to you…no matter the situition good or bad going on he always gave you a hug an told you everything will be alright an that the lord is always watching over you with your gauridain angel to protect you an guide you.i remember one morining before..our sophmore world history class he was reading the bible i asked him what story he was reading he told me an we had a conversation about it he thought it was neat to share his faith with a classmate..that day.he loved his family an friends an loved sports.. i am thankful for jarred in my life even if it was only for a little while.
Scott-
Thanks for the article and remembering Jarred. It is appreciated. I hope all the families who utilize the Ronald McDonald House as we did, know that we understand the need and want to help in every way. It is usually a very difficult sitation for the families in dealing with emotions, stress and finances. The Ronald McDonald House gives them refuge to escape these issues at least for a period of time, so they can focus on the situation. Thanks to all who contribute to the RMcH funds.