NORFOLK, Va. — Jen Lewis stopped by the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital ALSAC office in downtown Norfolk for a very special reason.
She teamed up with the staff to surprise a decades-long volunteer with a News 3 Everyday Hero Award. They simply could not say enough about him.
“Jack Pavlat is just the heart of our organization, " said St. Jude Area Development Advisor Mercedes McGinthy. "He is why we do what we do every day.”
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Jack, who lives in Virginia Beach with his wife Barbara, has been dedicated to the St. Jude mission of finding cures and saving children for more than 30 years. Their daughter, Suzanne, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when she was just 3 years old.
“Jack embodies everything that St Jude is about," Chrystal Gregory, who serves as the Area Director for St. Jude, told Jen. "He embodies hope, he embodies caring and love and dedication and support and we really couldn’t do what we do without Jack.”
The Pavlat’s little girl, Suzy, passed away 23 years ago at the age of 12. Even so, Jack continues to proudly carry the St. Jude flag because as he often says, he got extra years with Suzy thanks to the research and treatment underway at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He says the work he does keeps her name alive.
“He’s willing to help out, whether it’s sharing Suzanne’s story at our events or whether it’s helping with admin stuff at the office or putting together bikes for our auction items,” shared Kerry O’Donnell, the organization’s event planner advisor.
No matter the task, big or small, Jack is always willing to pitch in and the staff at St. Jude is truly thankful for him.
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Development Specialist Ariana Rogers has spent a lot of time with Jack and became emotional when Jen asked her about him.
“There are no amount of words we can express to show our appreciation, to show our gratitude for everything he does,” Rogers said.
The day Jen showed up at the St. Jude office for the Everyday Hero Award surprise, Jack was under the impression he would be putting bikes together.
However, shortly after she arrived, she found out he had been called away for a family matter and was on his way out of town. So, we decided a FaceTime call would work just as well.
Jack, of course, shares the honor with his wife Barbara.
“It’s their way of giving back," he said. "When Suzy was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, she had a 10% survival rate. Today, she’d have almost a 75% chance.”
Jen also gave the Pavlats a $300 gift card courtesy of the News 3 Everyday Hero partner Southern Bank.
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“Why, thank you, I can put that to good use," he said.
Jack, we hope you do. Thank you for your continued and undying support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Congratulations!
You can support St. Jude’s mission too and get in the running to win a beautiful 3,100 square foot home in the Bennett's Pasture section of Suffolk. The 5 bedroom, 4 ½ bath home is valued at $715,000. Tickets to win the house are $100 each. The drawing takes place on June 13.
For additional information on the Dream Home as well as to purchase a ticket, click here.
