Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

Today marks the first day of #BrainTumorAwarenessMonth, an important time of year to call attention to brain tumors and the unique challenges patients face. As part of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s continued commitment to make children with brain tumors, survivors and their families a national priority, we are excited to welcome neurosurgeon and CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta to our Board of Directors. ?Dr. Gupta brings extensive clinical, research and journalism experience, including as associate chief of Grady Health System's neurosurgery service, associate professor of?neurosurgery?at the?Emory University School of Medicine's, and as CNN’s chief medical correspondent, to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation community, and we look forward to the many ways he will help drive forward our mission as a valuable and expert advocate for pediatric brain tumor patients, survivors, and their families.? Read the full announcement at https://lnkd.in/eKJCAM85, including quotes from Dr. Gupta, PBTF President and CEO Courtney Davies, and Board Chair Jeffrey Gelfand, and join us in warmly welcoming Dr. Gupta to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation community! #CNN #nonprofitnews #philanthropy

Navigating pediatric brain cancer is overwhelming, but a soft, huggable friend can make it a bit less scary. That’s why we’re teaming up with Jazwares, LLC this holiday season to provide some comforting companions to children in treatment. For every $125 raised on Giving Tuesday, Jazwares will gift a Squishmallows to a child in treatment, giving them a cuddly companion to hold tight when they need it most. We hope to send 1,000 kids a Squishmallows this Giving Tuesday, but we can’t do it without you. Save the date for this Giving Tuesday, December 3rd, and brighten the day for 1,000 children with snuggly comfort during this holiday season. #JazwaresCares

For typically active third-grader Sam, months of unexplained headaches and vomiting lead to a low-grade glioma diagnosis that changed his family’s life forever. In those first moments, the weight of the diagnosis seemed insurmountable. But Sam’s family soon realized they wouldn’t have to face this battle alone. “You feel like you need a cavalry to come in and help,” says Sam’s father, Shawn. And that cavalry was made up of doctors, therapists, and organizations like the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation —alongside a supportive community of people like you- ready to charge in and provide the resources and hope families like theirs so desperately need. “The support PBTF offers families is just as important as the research it funds,” Shawn says. Together with supporters like you, we can create a world where no family has to face this journey alone. Every donation you make grows the cavalry of support that stands ready to charge in and fight alongside families like the Kostoffs. We can ensure that resources, hope, and moments of joy are always within reach. Make your gift and join the cavalry at https://lnkd.in/ekANRxMD

Brayson was an enthusiastic and active high school athlete, driven by his passion for football and baseball, dreaming of playing at the Division II or III level for either sport. But his whole life changed in junior year. What started as a persistent headache turned out to be far more serious and ultimately led to a brain tumor diagnosis. After a successful surgery to remove the tumor, Brayson faced another challenge—a cerebral stroke following the procedure. Yet, his determination to keep moving forward and love for sports remained unshaken. Brayson found a new way to stay connected to football by becoming an equipment manager at Clemson, which paved the way for his current position with the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars equipment team. Now cancer-free, Brayson dedicates his time to mentoring other brain tumor survivors through the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s survivor group. "I want to be someone they can reach out to and say, ‘This is happening to me,’ and I can respond, ‘Yeah, I’ve been there. You’ll get through it,’” he shares. Read more about Brayson's journey from brain tumor patient to NFL equipment manager at https://lnkd.in/dbAfEtPB.

In those uncertain moments when a family learns of a child's brain tumor diagnosis, the path ahead can seem like an insurmountable battlefield. Yet, no family should have to face this journey alone. This is where we—and you—can make a meaningful impact. Your involvement—whether through advocacy, donations, or simply offering a virtual hug—fuels our collective mission. You are an essential part of our cavalry, giving families the hope, unwavering support, and care they need to continue their fight. Your donation fuels this effort, ensuring that no child and no family has to face this battle alone. Join us in making a difference by donating today at https://lnkd.in/eX9BR9ze. Together, we can be the cavalry that brings hope and support to those who need it most.

Giving Tuesday is only two weeks away! This year offers an incredible opportunity to harness the collective power of our compassion and generosity in support of children with brain tumors, survivors, and their families. Join us in improving patients' and survivors' lives by donating stock, giving from your IRA, donating cryptocurrency, or making a grant from a Donor-Advised Fund. These options allow you to give more efficiently, potentially reducing your taxable income when you file in the spring. Your contributions will offer funding and resources that will help gifted researchers discover the next treatment breakthrough. Give the gift of hope, community, and discovery—all while receiving tax-advantages: https://lnkd.in/e7mQq3Hh

Mackensie’s journey began in early 2018, just before her second birthday, when her mother noticed that one of her eyes was droopy. However, for the next two years, Mackensie underwent numerous MRIs and testing but doctors still couldn't give her a specific diagnosis. By the time Mackensie started kindergarten, her symptoms had worsened and finally, doctors were able to confirm that she had a glioma located on her brain stem that could not be removed. Despite the diagnosis and the challenges that come with living with a brain tumor, Mackensie continues living life to the fullest, enjoying pageants, drawing, and proudly advocating for herself at school. When asked what advice she has for other families, Mackensie shares wisdom beyond her years. “Always advocate for your child when they’re getting a shot. Hold their hands to make sure they’re not stressed or anxious. And it’s always good to bring a stress toy to squish.” Read more about Mackensie and her family's journey at https://lnkd.in/erTC7NSY

We are excited to announce that The Brain Tumor Funders' Collaborative is now accepting applications for innovative brain tumor research projects! We are offering two-year, $500,000 multi-institutional grants aimed to advance liquid biopsy technology for patients with primary brain tumors. Applications are due by January 16, 2025, and can be submitted at https://lnkd.in/g8ZRFPpJ. The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is proud to be a part of The Brain Tumor Funders' Collaborative alongside the American Brain Tumor Association, Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, and National Brain Tumor Society to support liquid biopsy research that will not only help children with brain tumors thrive but also ultimately find a cure for cancer.

The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is excited to announce our new partnership with Uber, designed to provide crucial support and alleviate financial and logistical burdens for families affected by pediatric brain tumors. Through this pilot program, Uber is granting credits to PBTF which will be offered to families in need for travel to crucial doctor’s appointments and other necessary services in the New York Tri-State area, Orlando, and San Francisco. This collaboration between PBTF and Uber aims to ensure that patients and survivors of childhood brain cancers have access to reliable and affordable transportation for critical treatments and appointments, helping to remove barriers and increase accessibility to necessary medical care. So far, the program has already issued vouchers to more than 20 families, demonstrating the commitment of both organizations to support these families with more to come. To learn more about this initiative and how it reinforces PBTF's dedication to being a cavalry of support for families navigating pediatric brain tumors, visit https://lnkd.in/e-tEmkHC.

Don't forget to register for next year's Childhood Cancer Action Days 2025 which will be held in Washington, D.C. from February 27-28, 2025. Action Days allows you to speak with your members of Congress and their staff to advocate for important childhood cancer issues before Congress. Sharing your story will ensure the voices of children with cancer are heard loud and clear on Capitol Hill. We invite you to join us in Washington, D.C. this February to continue to create change for children with cancer and their families. Register today at https://lnkd.in/ePwiFnKs