July 1st, 2009
Missouri-First State to sport Awareness License Plate
HB 683 was signed into law today thanks to Jennifer Gutierrez who introduced this initiative to Senator Dempsey and was carried forth by The Missouri Legislature to the Governor’s Desk today.
Jennifer Gutierrez-Missouri Affiliate
What began as a dream to provide patients needed funding in the State of Missouri, became a belated birthday wish come true for Jennifer Gutierrez, a brain stem glioma survivor. Today is a historical moment for all brain tumor Warriors and families of Brain Tumor Angels as Missouri residents have the opportunity to strengthen the voice of those affected by brain tumors.
As the first state to enact into law this license plate featuring a grey ribbon which is the universal symbol for brain tumor awareness, and “Brain Tumor Awareness.Org” which provides a website of resources to ease the navigation process for brain tumor patients, it is the hope of this President that an affiliate from each of the remaining 49 states will step up to introduce this initiative in their state. Funds generated by the purchase of these license plates are dedicated to patient assistance funds for non-medical needs as described in our application process.
The financial devastation that befalls families faced with a brain tumor diagnosis is overwhelming and this public support of awareness can change lives.
It is the courage and commitment that is demonstrated by survivors like Jennifer Gutierrez that bring this awareness to decision makers who can facilitate change, improve the quality of lives of survivors and assist in a grassroots movement to increase survival.
On behalf of the Board and the Founders of The Brain Tumor Awareness Organization, we are grateful to Jennifer Gutierrez, Senator Dempsey and his staff, The Missouri Legislature and Governor Jay Nixon for providing the Nation with an initiative worth duplicating state by state.
Thank you Missouri Residents for uniting to make this initiative a success in honor of the many in the fight for survival of this dreaded disease. Please know that gaining the 200 supporters for this license plate in the first year is a great achievement and one that must continue year after year to sustain the awareness and funding made available by its presence in your community. Share this blog entry and the website where a plate registration can begin!
It is also worth noting that when this bill was signed into law, July 1st, 2009, it is seven years from the date of co-founder Keith Houston’s 1st brain tumor resection and his son’s birthday. We (the Founders) are especially grateful to share this momentous occasion with the reason that it all started-a brain tumor diagnosis and the need for awareness.
Tags: Jennifer Gutierrez, License Plate, Missouri, Patient Assistance
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May 31st, 2009
- Dedicated volunteers raise awareness
Many individuals support a cause, many community members understand a cause, but a cause if often supported by those that live it and adapt with it-surviving it.
No great idea or plan materializes without the dedication and support of those individuals who together make a mighty difference.
The simple things- phone calls, decorating trees in exchange for radio ads, greeting new faces and going to new places; to the difficult tasks- grant writing, planning, recruiting, sharing stories, listening to the unmet needs of those affected by a brain tumor.
Each one of our volunteers brings to the landscape of our vision: a gift, a passion, an understanding, a story and a purpose- to offer support and provide resources.
Thanks to all those individuals who have lent a hand at an event, pulled together community members to raise awareness and/or funds, those staff members at the various centers who champion this cause and lastly to those survivors, who unselfishly share their time and energy while undergoing treatment or balancing life’s daily tasks. They are the true Warriors who remind us that together, we do great things.
We are expanding our volunteer network across the state and invite you to learn more about the opportunities available. Please
contact us to discuss how you can join this invaluable team of advocates!
Tags: volunteers
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May 27th, 2009
The East Bay Crab Shack hosts Donate Your Plate on the 28th!
- Grey Ribbon Medallions
Patronize The East Bay Crab Shack in Downtown Charleston South Carolina. Upon checkout, provide your receipt to your server and our organziation will receive 10% of the proceeds from your purchase on the 28th of May.
Donate Your Plate on the 28th is a campaign to partner with restaurants within our community to raise awareness and funds for brain tumor research and support programs.
The Brain Tumor Awareness Organization establishes the Grey Ribbon Medallion campaign where patrons can donate $1 and $5 for paper Grey Ribbon Medallions.
Patrons sign “I’M AWARE!” and join an advocacy network to raise awareness. These campaigns are being featured in Charleston, Travelers Rest and Greenville, South Carolina this year.
The Olympian Grill at 402 Duncan Chapel Rd. Ext. in Greenville, SC will be hosting “Donate Your Plate on the 28th”.
Thank you to all the businesses (near 50) that are promoting our “Go Grey in May” campaign. Special thanks to our star volunteer-Angie Gilbert, whose husband was diagnosed in 2007 with a grade 2 oligodendroglioma. She has within 2 weeks expanded our campaign from 5 sponsors to near 50 across the Upstate!
Raising awareness is the key to survival!
Tags: Awareness, dining, donate your plate, Survivor
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May 22nd, 2009
The BTAO had it’s very first wine tasting at The Cook’s Station on Thursday May 21st 2009. There were 15 people that attended as well as the wonderful staff of The Cook’s Station, we had great hors d’oeurves prepared by Mark Pollard and had some fantastic wine that was donated to us from our friends at the Jocelyn Lonen Winery. We had a great time and look forward to the next endeavor with them. We want to thank Julie Jester for all of her hard work and a very special thanks to Kelly and John for allowing use the opportunity to have such a wonderful event.
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May 20th, 2009
Mayor Reynolds Proclaims "Melvin McCall Day"
The 10th Annual Melvin McCall “Strokes For Progress” Golf Tournament was honored by the Proclamation of “Melvin McCall Day” by Travelers Rest Mayor Roy Reynolds.
Shawn and Lee McCall accepted the Proclamation on behalf of tournament supporters and sponsors who have benefited brain tumor research through their participation in the tournament begun in honor of the McCall Brothers’ father, Melvin McCall, who lost his battle to a brain tumor.
Many families and businesses from the Travelers Rest community play a key part in the tournament’s success annually and have welcomed NASCAR celebrities to their hometown prior to the tournament. The tournament boasts the largest autographed NASCAR memorabilia offered for auction each year.
This year, The Brain Tumor Awareness Organization is the beneficiary of the funds raised to help assist families in the community affected by a brain tumor diagnosis. The Travelers Rest community participated in the “Go Grey in May” campaign to raise awareness and build community partnerships to fund research and support programs.
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May 11th, 2009
- National Brain Tumor Awareness Month on Your Carolina TV
Thanks to our friends at Your Carolina TV-Jack and Kimberly for inviting the founders of The Brain Tumor Awareness Organization in Upstate South Carolina to discuss National Brain Tumor Awareness Month .
Keith Houston, Julie’s husband and Joe Philpot shared their stories as long-term brain tumor survivors and the message was clear-”
there is hope.” That is the motto of
The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke where both these men were treated. Many advances have been made against brain tumors recently and Duke has been the leading research institute in the news sharing their discoveries which extend survival rates of brain tumor patients.
Tags: brain tumor, Caring for the Carolinas, Duke, Jack Roper, Joe Philpot, Julie Houston, Keith Houston, National Brain Tumor Awareness Month, Your Carolina TV
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May 10th, 2009
- Brain Tumor Awareness Month Exhibit at GHSUMC Employee Pavillion
The Brain Tumor Awareness Organization proudly presented the Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center and Cancer Center Governor Sanford’s Proclamation of Brain Tumor Action Week May 1-7 and Brain Tumor Awareness Month.
Grey ribbons were given to employees to raise awareness about brain tumors and research being conducted right here in the Upstate for the benefit of brain tumor patients and their families.
Tags: GHSUMC, National Brain Tumor Awareness Month, The Brain Tumor Awareness Organization
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May 10th, 2009
Rachel Beard-Dr. Giglio's Assistant
Rachel Beard, assistant to Dr. Pierre Giglio, kicked off a successful campaign for National Brain Tumor Awareness Month. Survivors volunteered to man the display table and provide information to those stopping by. Sporting their “Go Grey in May” t-shirts and silver ribbon pins, stories were shared and spirits were lifted.
Brain Tumor Action Week at Hollings Gathering Hats for the Hidden Under Our Hats display Vigil Service in the Healing Garden
The Pearlstine Healing Garden was the setting for our 3rd Annual Brain Tumor Vigil service provided by T.H.E. B.R.A.I.N. Trust. Our organization has hosted this service in various locations to provide support and remembrance to those affected by this disease.
- Hollings Cancer Center
The architecture of The Hollings Cancer Center is beautiful.
