Jacob Winterton Osteosarcoma Foundation

The Jacob Winterton Osteosarcoma Foundation

About Jacob

Jacob's time on this earth was cut far too short, but his life was full, meaningful and beautiful. He had a natural warmth and kind smile that made people feel comfortable and welcomed in his presence. He was sweet, kind and genuinely caring, with an ability to make those around him feel seen, valued and included. He had a good sense of humour too.

What made Jacob so special was not simply what he accomplished, but who he was. He was a quiet, thoughtful presence who never needed to be the loudest voice in the room or seek recognition. In many ways, he was a silent leader. People simply gravitated toward him and respected him for the person he was. He had an old soul. He was intuitive, thoughtful and smart. He seemed to understand people in a way that was beyond his years. He appreciated his family and friends deeply and never took those relationships for granted. He understood the importance of maintaining strong relationships with the people he loved, and he continued to nurture those connections right up until his final days.

There was just something about Jacob that made you feel good when you were around him. You simply couldn't help but like him.

Jake was an athlete and excelled at almost every sport he played, but hockey was his passion from a very young age. From the time he could walk, he had a hockey stick in his hands. Playing representative hockey throughout his childhood and teenage years gave him countless wonderful memories and experiences, but perhaps even more importantly, it gave him a group of lifelong friends who became like family. Jacob was incredibly grateful for those friendships and the role they played throughout his life.

Jacob was fortunate enough to take his love of hockey to the next level when he was drafted into the Ontario Hockey League. He played for both the Flint Firebirds and the Oshawa Generals, collecting even more memories, experiences and friendships along the way.

When it was time to make his education a priority, Jacob moved on to the University of Guelph, where he earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree while playing four years of varsity hockey. Perhaps not quite ready to give up the game or the opportunity to spend one more year playing alongside his buddies, Jacob was accepted into Guelph's graduate BMA program, which was set to begin in May 2025. He was excited about life, his future and all that was still ahead of him.

Throughout the latter part of his final hockey season, however, Jacob had been battling what we all believed to be a shoulder injury. He continued with conservative treatment, hoping that the end of the hockey season would bring some relief   Unfortunately, the pain persisted.  An MR on April 10^th 2024 revealed a large tumor.

Within the following weeks, our worst fears were confirmed.  Jacob was diagnosed with Stage 4 osteosarcoma

Instead of spending the summer enjoying life as a young man in his twenties, Jacob spent countless days and weeks at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Mount Sinai Hospital, in Toronto.   His world had been turned upside down, yet somehow, Jacob continued to appreciate each day and the people in it.   He remained steadfastly positive and never allowed himself to become consumed by negativity or self-pity.

In fact, it was often Jacob who lifted others up. Even when he was the one facing the greatest challenge, he continued to make those around him feel better.

On September 4, 2025, Jacob rang the bell marking the completion of his treatment. It was a beautiful and emotional day, made even more special because it was also his brother Ryan's 22nd birthday. We celebrated together, hoping that perhaps the hardest part was behind us.

Unfortunately, that celebration was short-lived. A follow-up scan in October revealed that the cancer in Jacob's lungs had progressed.

That fall brought another difficult chapter, more chemotherapy, radiation and prolonged hospital stays. Yet, as Jacob always did, he continued to search for the good in the midst of the difficult. During those months, so many incredible people, friends, teammates, communities and organizations stepped forward to support Jacob, and our family. The outpouring of love was extraordinary. It gave Jacob strength, comfort and, most importantly, hope. It meant the world to him.

When treatment options in Canada had been exhausted, a rare and very special opportunity arose for Jacob to participate in a T-cell immunotherapy clinical trial in Seattle, Washington. Jacob immediately embraced the opportunity. For all of us, it represented something we desperately needed, hope.

Jacob became the first osteosarcoma patient to participate in this particular clinical trial, which had previously been used to treat leukemia. Between January and March 2026, he endured six road trips back and forth across the continent, travelling thousands of kilometres in pursuit of one more chance. Yet jacob was faced with another devastating blow, his cancer had progressed too far, and a cure was not possible. His final wish was a simple one. He wanted to come home. His final journey home was a remarkable non-stop 40-hour drive. He made it home and, two days later, Jacob passed away peacefully, on his own terms, surrounded by the people and the love that meant the most to him, his beautiful girlfriend, Julia, his family and friends, and his beloved dog, Eddie, who never left his side.

Jacob may no longer be with us, but his light, his love and his legacy will live on through everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

The Jacob Winterton Osteosarcoma Foundation is an important part of carrying that legacy forward. It is our way of honouring the person Jacob was and continuing the values he lived by—kindness, compassion, positivity, strength and caring for others.

We know Jacob would be proud.

He would want us to give back. He would want us to help others. And he would want us to extend the same care, compassion, hope and support that so many people gave to him throughout his journey.

That is Jacob's legacy, and we are committed to "paying it forward".

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What does the Foundation Support?

Fund the Fight

• Investing in cutting-edge osteosarcoma research to rewrite the future of treatment.

Fuel the Future

• Sponsoring dedicated High School and University Scholarships, rewarding students who mirror Jacob's trademark of care, work ethic, academic focus, and drive.

Paying it Forward

• Delivering direct relief to families experiencing severe financial or emotional distress