For those of you who have contributed to our fundraising efforts for the Ride for Kids events in the past, we thank you. As we head into 2011 we continue to support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United States (on the web at: www.pbtfus.org or www.rideforkids.org). For those of you who keep track of this kind of thing, 2011 marks the 21st consecutive year we have been involved; and we ask for your new or continued support.

Here are some quick facts:
 

-2010 events (40 held across the country) raised more than $4.5M. Unfortunately, this represents about another 80% decrease nationally from 2009 (which was also about 84% down from 2008) as a continued result of the national economic crisis. We hope you are in a better situation and are able to reconsider your charitable contributions in 2011. As the event is not scheduled until October 2011, there is time to consider your situation.
 

-Each year, 3400 new cases are diagnosed; this breaks down to an average of 9 new cases per day. Of these new cases, 4 of 10 will die.
 

- A Nobel Prize winner from 2007, received his prize on research funded by the PBTF; go to http://www.pbtfus.org/media/2007/grant-recipient-wins-nobel.html for details
 

-The PBTF has several programs that contributions continue to support. Among them are college scholarships for survivors; support services for families; and several Brain Tumor Institutes across the country. The PBTF has already provided a $6M grant to establish an institute at Duke University (just one of THREE institutes across North America; the 2nd is located at UC San Francisco, and the 3rd is at the Hospital for Sick Children in Canada); and has committed additional funds so this important work can continue. A new clinical trial at the Institute at Duke University, for patients who have failed standard treatments, or have suffered recurrence of their illness was recently opened.
 

-Brain tumors can be cancerous or not, in either case they can be deadly and are the leading cause of cancer death in children. Even if the child continues to thrive; they are often located near the brain's control center for thought, emotion and movement; and can be left with severe emotional, physical, or psychological disabilities in many cases.
 

-We have had significant success; in 1984, a child diagnosed with a brain tumor had a life expectancy of 5 months. Today, that same child can expect an additional 34 months.
 

-Today, treatments include surgery and radiation, and can include chemotherapy and other experimental therapies. Often, these treatments can require extended periods where the child is unable to attend school. This leaves the child left behind their peers on an educational level. Largely due to success and progress made on the research end of this issue, the foundation also funds college scholarships to long term survivors in need. The list of scholarship recipients is growing each and every year, while the list of those that do not survive is shrinking.
 

Don't forget to ask your employer about matching funds for charitable contributions. Feel free to share this page with those you may know. If you wish to participate in an event near you; ask me how!