For 15 years, the Head for the Cure Foundation and Voices Against Brain Cancer have led the way in creating grassroots action for the public to support the brain cancer community and scientific research. After years of working independently toward the same cause, Voices Against Brain Cancer is bringing its organization, its constituent base and its events into the Head for the Cure Foundation.
The Head for the Cure Foundation will continue to operate from its Kansas City, MO, headquarters. The Foundation will be led by Founder/Board President, Matt Anthony, and Executive Director, Jenna Heilman, with active involvement from its Board of Directors. Heilman will oversee all activities, programs, and grants for the growing Head for the Cure organization.
Voices Against Brain Cancer will remain heavily involved in brain cancer research and advocacy; and its founders, Mario, Eric and Adam Lichtenstein have each been elected as board members of the Head for the Cure Foundation. Their continued efforts, and the VABC legacy, will focus on programs and major fundraising efforts, which help support innovative treatments and quality of life efforts for patients and their families affected by brain cancer.
“Brain cancer remains one of the deadliest forms of cancer. The need for innovative research is severe, as is the need for hope, whether one is a patient, a caregiver, family, friend, or supporter. Head for the Cure and Voices Against Brain Cancer have both built their fundraising operations around events for the brain cancer community. These events, held in cities across the country, are moments when people can come together, raise money for research, reaffirm hope, and celebrate those fighting for their lives, as well as remember those lost,” Matt Anthony said.
Head for the Cure’s primary research partner remains the Brain Tumor Trials Collaborative (BTTC). The BTTC is a group of 32 leading clinics designing and carrying out new treatments for brain tumors, led by Dr. Mark Gilbert at the National Cancer Institute’s Center for Cancer research. The Voices Against Brain Cancer team is excited to join in supporting the efforts of this collaborative.
Head for the Cure has reaffirmed its commitment to growing its events around the country and deepening partnerships with cancer centers in our event cities.
The research grants, made possible by these events, will continue to follow the model Head for the Cure has used for the past several years: a portion of the net proceeds is distributed as a grant to the local partner cancer center, and an additional portion is set aside to be granted to the BTTC, which uses it to design studies with its member institutions.
“I wasn’t able to save the life of my son, but perhaps with this joint venture with Head for the Cure, I will be able to save the life of others. It’s an honor and a privilege for me and my sons to collaborate with Matt and this remarkable organization. I believe that together, and along with the community, we will accomplish everything there is to do. That through our voices, knowledge and passion, we will have a broader reach to create awareness, to help those affected and to raise funds to find a cure,” Mario Lichtenstein said.
Head for the Cure was founded in 2003, in memory of Chris Anthony, to raise awareness and funding for the community of brain cancer patients, their families, friends, caregivers and other supporters, while celebrating their courage, spirit and energy.
Voices Against Brain Cancer was also founded in 2003, in memory of Gary Lichtenstein, to find a cure for brain cancer and brain tumors by advancing scientific research, increasing awareness, creating a brain cancer and tumor community, and supporting patients, their families and caregivers.
The Head for the Cure Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 organization. Our form 990, EIN, and fact sheet can be found here: http://www.headforthecure.org/content/financials.