James Brave Salgado chose his own official name just a few months ago, before being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The name didn’t come easy, but as a transgender teen coming into his own, he needed a name that simply stated who he was. Jamie Brave didn’t know how deeply his name would resonate until finding out that thyroid cancer is rare in children and his lymph nodes had also gotten into the game.


Usually freaked out by needles and all things medical, #JamietheBrave is staring this thing down! He is funny and a little dark, artistic and accepting. A loyal friend.

The Salgados are a low-key, full-of-love family from Richmond, Virginia who have built a life around giving unconditional kindness to others. They’re actually sorta famous for it. Facing Jamie’s cancer diagnosis without health insurance, they now need some kindness – and financial support – to flow in their direction. Thyroid cancer is treatable but requires surgery, lifelong therapy and diligent monitoring.  Jamie's diagnosis sparked a whirlwind of worry. Surgery is on the immediate horizon; so is a lot more worry.  


This family usually on the side of giving now finds themselves on the side of need. . . Can you help? 

Jorge and Patience Salgado have four thoughtful kids (Jamie is #3). Jorge is a small business owner and Patience is a kindness worker and birth/hospice photographer. Several years ago, they minimized their possessions and focused on experiences for the kids and living an intentionally kindness-driven life. Patience has always said that being truly kind, as opposed to ‘being nice,’ can be really difficult and messy and humbling. The same applies to being brave:

          “We are learning that being brave is not so much about ‘being strong’ but more about making space for our own humanity, and sometimes falling apart and being loved back together while we face and do hard things.”


Being without health insurance feels messy; it’s humbling and really really difficult.  Maybe you can relate, that crazy high deductibles and a premium higher than your mortgage is just too much for a lot of families.

Truth is, we’re all this close to being in the exact same situation OR we know someone dealing with a version of it – perhaps they just haven’t been slammed with an out-of-the-blue cancer diagnosis like the Salgados.

Is kindness ever messy or humbling for you?

What does being brave look and feel like?


Please DONATE now . . . and SHARE this message #JamietheBrave #sharekindness #beingbrave

Send a message of kindness or support to Jamie Brave @kindnessgirl on Instagram.

Watch a VIDEO of #kindness work  #LightofHumanKindness  actsofhumankind.com