The Story Behind JWLS

Watches that make you look extra-dapper and super-fine? That’s JWLS for you. But that’s not all there is to JWLS.

In fact, it is the story behind JWLS that really sets these watches apart.

JWLS was founded in 2017 by Emily Lyons – a Toronto-based entrepreneur and rising star in the business space (she’s been featured in publications like Forbes and Maxim, to name a few, and her clients include Fortune 500 firms and A-list celebrities).

Lyons created the company because she wanted to do something about cystic fibrosis – a deadly genetic disease that had claimed the life of her sister, Julia Marlane Lyons, in 2011. Julia – who was affectionately nicknamed “Jewels” by her family and friends – was only 27 when she passed away. This loss stung Emily into action, and she vowed to use her business resources to fight back against cystic fibrosis.

Julia and Emily Lyons

And thus she launched JWLS – named in the memory of Julia. Emily is convinced that cystic fibrosis can be vanquished – it is simply a matter of sufficient funding and the right allocation of resources. So JWLS is this entrepreneur’s solution to the cystic fibrosis problem: 100% of all JWLS’ profits are donated directly to Cystic Fibrosis Canada and other not-for-profit organizations involved in researching and combating the disease. These funds will bolster research efforts and help clear a path towards a cure that works.

“Every day I think about how short life is,” Emily remarked in an interview with Forbes, reflecting on the loss of her sister and the battle with cystic fibrosis.

Every watch in the JWLS collection is named after something connected with Julia’s life and memory. And every watch face is engraved with the JWLS logo – a pair of lungs that symbolizes the life-giving power of air and breath, which many of us take for granted.

JWLS is a tribute to the life and legacy of Julia – who will forever remain close to the hearts and minds of the many people who knew and loved her.

And your JWLS watch? It’s a sign of your willingness to stand up to cystic fibrosis and support those who must face the disease head-on every day.

What does your purchase do?

 Your purchase of a JWLS watch helps fund research on cystic fibrosis – including ongoing efforts to create an effective cure for the disease. Some of the funds are given to Cystic Fibrosis Canada, a not-for-profit devoted to finding a cure. Funds from JWLS watch sales are also donated directly to those with cystic fibrosis who don’t have the financial resources to get adequate medical treatment.

Cystic fibrosis can be particularly devastating for individuals and families who don’t have access to large amounts of capital. It is an expensive disease. For example, CF patients must often re-locate so that they live near a treatment centre where they can be monitored and cared for by medical professionals. Costs like these can put tremendous strain on both the individual with CF and their family.

Emily knows this all too well; when her sister Julia was staying at a hospital in a city far from home, the family would often stay at a Ronald McDonald House to visit her and ensure that she was receiving the best possible care (and the physical presence of loved ones can go far towards alleviating the suffering of those with CF).  

So your purchase, in a very real way, helps lift up the CF community – bolstering research efforts and supporting those who are in desperate need of financial assistance.

That’s why you can wear a JWLS watch with pride. You’ll be making a real impact in people’s lives – so you’ll be wearing a timepiece with a purpose.

What is Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited genetic disease that affects the body’s lungs and airways – among other areas.

Healthy people have a slippery, thin mucus lining that covers their airways (airways are the hollow passages in your body that allow air to go in and out of the lungs whenever you breathe). The mucus in the airways is always moving and getting replaced by new mucus. Mucus can easily move because it’s slippery and light – so that there’s always a fresh lining of it in your airways. This mucus keeps your airways moist – so they don’t dry out from all the air flowing through them. It also captures bacteria and other harmful particles that might be in the air.

But if you have CF, this mucus lining is much thicker and much less slippery because of a genetic mutation. Since this thick mucus can’t move very easily and get replaced by a fresh lining, more and more mucus accumulates in the airways. Over time, bacteria grow in this buildup of mucus – and can cause severe lung infections. What’s more, the airways become blocked up with too much mucus – making breathing difficult. Ultimately, if lungs become too damaged from infection, they will have to be replaced through a transplant operation. But even with lung transplants, many people still die from the disease – usually due to respiratory failure.

There is currently no cure for the disease – only treatment options to temporarily minimize symptoms. Today, there are thousands of Canadians – both children and adults – who are struggling with this relentless disease.

What can you do to help the CF community?

What else can you do to help the CF community? Here are some ideas:

• Learn about CF. Knowledge is power, and the more you learn about the disease, the more you’ll understand what those with CF are going through – and how you can help them in a meaningful way.
• Follow the social media accounts of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Julia Lyons Foundation, and JWLS – and other organizations concerned with cystic fibrosis. This will help keep you updated on what’s happening in the CF community – and where your help may be most needed.
• Fundraise. You can fundraise by going on walks that are often hosted by organizations like Cystic Fibrosis Canada.
• Generate awareness – share social media pics, stories, more with your network. This will bring more awareness to the disease and help encourage more research on finding a cure.