Chevaughn Joseph, founder of The Just Because Foundation (JBF), transformed the heartbreak of losing her son into a lasting source of hope. In 2005, her son Jabez—affectionately called JB—was diagnosed with Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer, at just three-and-a-half years old. For two years, JB fought with courage, but on March 24, 2007, at the age of five and a half, he passed away, leaving an unimaginable void in Joseph’s life.
To honour his memory and cope with the overwhelming grief, Joseph and her husband founded JBF on what would have been JB’s 6th birthday, creating a sanctuary for children with cancer in T&T.
Seventeen years later, JBF has become a lifeline for countless families. In 2008, Chevaughn led the opening of the JBF Paediatric Specialty Unit at Mt Hope Children’s Hospital, which is dedicated to children battling cancer and other serious conditions.
Known as “Aunty Chevaughn,” she brings care and comfort to these children, driven by the memory of JB and her mission to ease the burden of other families walking the same painful path.
Joseph’s writing journey began after JB’s passing, initially as a way to share her family’s experience and raise awareness about childhood cancer. Her words struck a chord, sparking support from readers.
Encouraged to write more, she channelled her grief into storytelling that keeps JB’s memory alive and educates others about the realities of childhood cancer.
In 2018, she began a newspaper column, JBF Talks, sharing intimate accounts of JB’s fight, the impact on her family, and the struggles of other families facing cancer. Though the column ended in 2020, it ignited the idea for a six-part book series, Anansi Goes to Hospital, chronicling the boy-spider Anansi as he and his family confront his cancer diagnosis.
Joseph has completed two books in the series, with the third underway. Writing has become her way of showing families in crisis that moments of strength and hope can shine through even in the darkest times. Through Anansi, she channels her experience with childhood cancer in a way that resonates with young readers and families alike.
She continues to write under her brand, “Chev Writes,” using her voice to inspire and connect with others. Her leadership at JBF extends across multiple projects—from the JBF Home Away from Home to the JBF Siblings Only Club and the JBF HOPE Concert. Joseph believes her work is a calling driven by faith and an unwavering commitment to turning grief into something that helps others survive.
Through her work, Chevaughn Joseph transforms personal loss into a force that lifts families, offering hope, strength, and compassion where it’s needed most, one child at a time.
