Jean Smart Helps Raise Hope and Funds for Brain Cancer Cure
Hundreds gather to raise funds to end brain cancer.
Seattle, WA, October 12, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Jean Smart, Seattle Native and Husky Alumnae, spoke publicly for the first time on how the disease has touched her family. “When I learned my sister was diagnosed with brain cancer I was filled with fear and didn’t know what to think about the disease,” said Ms. Smart. “What I know now is we have to bring brain cancer out of the shadows and illuminate it with light, science and optimism. It’s the only way we will find a cure in our lifetime. ”
Guests heard from doctors on the front lines of the battle against brain cancer during the event. “We know that 100 genes cause glioblastoma brain cancer,” said Dr. Ron DePinho, Director of the Applied Cancer Science Center at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine and Genetics Harvard Medical School. “The ability and technology exist to find a cure. All of us need to inspire our leaders to join the movement to end brain cancer.”
Dr. Greg Foltz, Director of the Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment at the Swedish Neuroscience Institute, stated wonderful real people live with brain cancer. “It’s not about dying. It’s about survivors learning to live with the disease. They need hope and CEF provides that ten-fold.”
The crowd was brought to their feet and gave a standing ovation to John ‘JB’ Brace, Chris Elliott Fund Ambassador, who is a seven years glioblastoma brain cancer survivor. He believes that hope and awareness are the best weapons for fighting brain cancer. Emcee Jenni Hogan, KIRO-7 and John Curley, the Ironman of Auctioneers, entertained and worked the crowd into a bidding frenzy to raise desperately needed funds for CEF’s patient support services, community outreach and research to find a cure.
“There were so few survivors when my husband was diagnosed nine years ago,” said Dellann Elliott, President and CEO, Chris Elliott Fund for Glioblastoma Brain Cancer Research. “Everyday we are meeting more and more survivors. That shows we are investing in the right areas—research, education, and awareness. Each dollar raised provides the ability to help new patients know what to do next and get advanced brain cancer treatment.” Elliott further stated that with more people in the fight ending brain cancer is possible.
CEF’s goal is to raise an additional $1 million by 2011 to increase their core programs reach and the organization’s capacity to deliver them. Donations can be made at www.chriselliottfund.org.
About brain cancer
Brain cancer is the most malignant form of cancer known to humankind with an average survival rate of two years. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children under the age of 20. Each year, 8 of every 100,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with primary malignant brain tumors. Approximately 13,000 Americans die each year from this disease. Unlike some other cancers brain tumors do not discriminate against gender, ethnicity, age, overall fitness, or socioeconomic status. 500 terminal cases of brain cancer will be diagnosed in the Seattle-Metro area alone this year.
About CEF
The Chris Elliott Fund for Glioblastoma Research (CEF) is a non-profit organization that raises awareness and funds specifically aimed at taking on brain cancer. CEF has raised more than $1 million for brain cancer research across the country and provides countless resources, information and support to people living with the disease. CEF funds groundbreaking research in the Christopher S. Elliott Neuro-oncology Lab for Glioblastoma Brain Research and Applied Science Center at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Mass. The organization is developing and funding the Integrative Patient Support Program at the Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment in Seattle's Swedish Neuroscience Institute. www.chriselliottfund.org
###
Guests heard from doctors on the front lines of the battle against brain cancer during the event. “We know that 100 genes cause glioblastoma brain cancer,” said Dr. Ron DePinho, Director of the Applied Cancer Science Center at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine and Genetics Harvard Medical School. “The ability and technology exist to find a cure. All of us need to inspire our leaders to join the movement to end brain cancer.”
Dr. Greg Foltz, Director of the Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment at the Swedish Neuroscience Institute, stated wonderful real people live with brain cancer. “It’s not about dying. It’s about survivors learning to live with the disease. They need hope and CEF provides that ten-fold.”
The crowd was brought to their feet and gave a standing ovation to John ‘JB’ Brace, Chris Elliott Fund Ambassador, who is a seven years glioblastoma brain cancer survivor. He believes that hope and awareness are the best weapons for fighting brain cancer. Emcee Jenni Hogan, KIRO-7 and John Curley, the Ironman of Auctioneers, entertained and worked the crowd into a bidding frenzy to raise desperately needed funds for CEF’s patient support services, community outreach and research to find a cure.
“There were so few survivors when my husband was diagnosed nine years ago,” said Dellann Elliott, President and CEO, Chris Elliott Fund for Glioblastoma Brain Cancer Research. “Everyday we are meeting more and more survivors. That shows we are investing in the right areas—research, education, and awareness. Each dollar raised provides the ability to help new patients know what to do next and get advanced brain cancer treatment.” Elliott further stated that with more people in the fight ending brain cancer is possible.
CEF’s goal is to raise an additional $1 million by 2011 to increase their core programs reach and the organization’s capacity to deliver them. Donations can be made at www.chriselliottfund.org.
About brain cancer
Brain cancer is the most malignant form of cancer known to humankind with an average survival rate of two years. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children under the age of 20. Each year, 8 of every 100,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with primary malignant brain tumors. Approximately 13,000 Americans die each year from this disease. Unlike some other cancers brain tumors do not discriminate against gender, ethnicity, age, overall fitness, or socioeconomic status. 500 terminal cases of brain cancer will be diagnosed in the Seattle-Metro area alone this year.
About CEF
The Chris Elliott Fund for Glioblastoma Research (CEF) is a non-profit organization that raises awareness and funds specifically aimed at taking on brain cancer. CEF has raised more than $1 million for brain cancer research across the country and provides countless resources, information and support to people living with the disease. CEF funds groundbreaking research in the Christopher S. Elliott Neuro-oncology Lab for Glioblastoma Brain Research and Applied Science Center at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Mass. The organization is developing and funding the Integrative Patient Support Program at the Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment in Seattle's Swedish Neuroscience Institute. www.chriselliottfund.org
###
Contact
Chris Elliott Fund
Mary Eversole
206.399.7848
www.chriselliottfund.org
Dellann Elliott, 425.785.8489
Mary Eversole
206.399.7848
www.chriselliottfund.org
Dellann Elliott, 425.785.8489
Contact
Categories