Young JAWS fan with cancer is given a bigger boat of kindness

A 13-year-old from the US with a mass on her brain, who has faced emergency surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and countless difficult days, still finds joy in her favourite film, JAWS.

After taking part in a live online quiz about the Steven Spielberg film, Hazel Fradette, from Ohio, had an exciting Zoom call with one of the actors from the classic shark movie who told her she’d been given the grand prize, an exact scale replica of the Orca, the boat captained by Quint (Robert Shaw).

The director of The Daily JAWS, Ross Williams, who organised the quiz, broke the news in a call with Hazel and Jeffrey Kramer, who played Deputy Hendricks in JAWS and JAWS 2, with the teen thrilled about speaking to them.

Her mum Amy said: “I cannot begin to explain the happiness that all of this has brought to Hazel; we haven’t seen this much joy in her for a long time. To think all this all began with her asking to sign up for The Daily Jaws and then wanting to do the Orca Challenge is truly amazing.”

“For a young girl who loves JAWS and is going through such a difficult time, it was an extraordinary gift and a reminder that kindness can appear in the most unexpected ways. Receiving this boat has given Hazel such a huge positive boost, we can’t thank everyone involved enough.”

Hazel and her parents catch up with JAWS star Jeffrey Kramer and Ross from The Daily Jaws

Hazel’s touching gift has come at a time when her treatment has been intense, with her already having completed 30 radiation treatments and six chemotherapy treatments, proudly ringing the bell when that chapter was finished earlier this year.

She’s then faced additional rounds of aggressive chemotherapy, with treatment expected to continue for months, her just having completed her third round of chemo.

Ross, founder and director of The Daily Jaws, said: “It’s been an honour to help brighten Hazel’s world through the power of JAWS, it is truly fantastic to see how many young fans this film has.

“Like the shark, cancer can be unseen, but it still continues to impact and you aren’t sure how it is going to surface. It’s just so nice to see the global JAWS community coming together, just like Quint, Brody and Hooper, to band together for Hazel.”

Over 200 JAWS fans particpated in the ORCA Challenge

Chemotherapy has taken a tremendous toll on her body, with recovery taking two to three weeks, and she has needed blood and platelet transfusions along the way. Severe nausea, weakness and difficulty moving have left Hazel dependent on a wheelchair. She has also struggled with her appetite, and because many foods taste terrible to her during treatment, she has received her nutrition through a nasogastric tube.

There is still a long swim ahead, but Hazel isn't facing it alone. She has her family. She has her medical team. She has an army of supporters behind her. And now, she’s captain of her very own Orca to help her navigate her cancer journey and captured the hearts of JAWS fans worldwide.

Her family - Amy, Todd and Olivia - continue to take each day as it comes. They are raising funds to help meet the family's needs while they remain by Hazel's side throughout treatment and recovery.

You can support Hazel and her family here by visiting her GoFundMe campaign.