“Nobody prepares to have their child diagnosed with cancer. When it happens, their world turns upside down,” said Keli.
This year, OneJax presents the President’s Medallion, the organization’s highest honor, to individuals whose service reflects the very essence of humanitarian leadership—vision, commitment, and a deep, enduring care for others. This distinction is reserved for those whose influence extends far beyond their professional achievements, transforming lives and strengthening the bonds of our community.
Few exemplify that spirit more than Tom and Keli Coughlin, whose shared mission through The Jay Fund has given countless families facing childhood cancer what matters most: time—time to be present, to stay together, and to heal.
“Nobody prepares to have their child diagnosed with cancer. When it happens, their world turns upside down,” said Keli.
What began as Tom’s promise to a young man named Jay McGillis has grown into a movement. When Tom coached Jay at Boston College, he watched his player and family face leukemia with incredible courage and faith. After Jay’s passing, Tom vowed to honor his legacy by helping families like Jay’s. Today, through the leadership of both Tom and Keli, that vow has been realized in hundreds of hospitals, homes, and hearts.
“For us, our proudest accomplishment is being able to give families practical help,” Tom said. “We want to keep a roof over their head, to have food on the table, to keep the lights on. We want to provide transportation to and from the hospital, do all those things that are so important to keep the family unit together.”
Thanks to their vision, Tom and Keli supported thousands of families—relieving financial burdens, covering daily expenses, and providing hope during moments of uncertainty. Even with survival rates climbing, the journey is never easy. As Keli explained, “About 115 children in Northeast Florida are diagnosed with cancer each year—more than ever before. That means there’s always more work to be done, and more families who need to know they’re not alone.”
This compassion transcends background, race, faith, or circumstance. The Jay Fund partners closely with social workers at Wolfson Children’s Hospital to meet each family’s
unique needs, offering everything from grocery assistance and utility support to Remembrance Weekends that help families navigate grief and healing together.
Witnessing someone lose their life to cancer, and the turmoil families experience afterwards is heart wrenching, but Tom and Keli say being able to also witness children fully recover and their families get their lives back is the most rewarding gift of all.
“We had a young girl many years ago, who had a tumor in her leg, and through the course of treatment she was told she would never walk again and whether or not she could be a mom was very doubtful,” Tom said. “She not only ran again, she ran marathons. She has three kids, and she intends to have one more. It’s just an unbelievable story; we draw our inspiration from these kinds of stories. They’re not all good ones…”
“… but even the ones that aren’t good are still inspiring,” Keli finished. “To see how important it is to those families to know that you haven’t forgotten about their children, that you remember their children, that you can tell them a cute story or an experience that you had with them means a lot. They know that they’re not alone.”
Tom and Keli said that being a humanitarian means seeing others in their time of need and choosing to act. Serving others, caring for your neighbor, recognizing their humanity, and understanding that what breaks another person’s heart affects us all.
That spirit of bridge building and compassion is why OneJax will present Tom and Keli with the Presidential Medallion at the 2026 Humanitarian Awards Event. This prestigious honor is reserved for individuals who demonstrate extraordinary leadership, service, and dedication to strengthening our community.
“What makes me really proud is that we’ve rallied a community, in both of the communities where we serve, and it’s allowed us to not have to turn any families away who need our help,” Keli said. “Being able to say yes, that’s what makes me proud.”
In recognition of their unwavering commitment to supporting families facing childhood cancer and ensuring that no child fights alone, OneJax proudly honors Tom and Keli Coughlin with the 2026 President’s Medallion — awarded to individuals who exemplify the highest ideals of humanitarianism, compassion, respect, and understanding.
Keli Coughlin Joyce serves as the CEO of the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation. Under Keli’s leadership, the Jay Fund has grown in size and scope, serving families who have a child with cancer in Northeast Florida, South Georgia and the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. Keli has worked with the Jay Fund for over 20 years. She started as a volunteer in 1996, when her father Coach Tom Coughlin founded the organization. Outside of work, Keli is active in the community. She was a member of the Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2009 and has served as a Selection Team Captain for the past several years. She has served on the Baptist Medical Center Beaches Board of Directors since 2018 and is currently the Chairperson. Keli was recognized with the Ultimate CEO Award from the Jacksonville Business Journal in 2018.
Tom Coughlin is a former National Football League head coach who was part of three New York Giants Super Bowl winning teams, twice as head coach. He won his first Super Bowl while an assistant to legendary coach Bill Parcells in 1990. In 2004, he joined the New York Giants for 12 Seasons as head coach, leading the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVI, both times beating the New England patriots. Coughlin was also the inaugural head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, leading the team to two AFC Championship Games. He ranks as the 14th winningest coach in NFL history with 170 wins. Coughlin is founder of the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation, established in 1996 to help families tackle pediatric cancer. To date, the foundation has provided over $34 million in support and helped over 6,700 families.
