On 4/3/2018, Kelly Dooley, National Campaign Manager, Ride For Kids for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF), spoke to the Magnolia Rotary Club membership about the PBTF. Pictured above is Kelly Dooley.
Kelly explained that the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is the world's largest nonprofit solely dedicated to the pediatric brain tumor community. They serve the more than 28,000 children and teens in the United States who are living with a brain tumor diagnosis. They offer free educational resources about brain tumors, a toolkit for newly diagnosed families, college scholarships and much more. Their nationwide events include Ride for Kids motorcycle charity events, Starry Night walk/runs and Vs. Cancer fundraisers.
Kelly also explained that about 13 kids are diagnosed every day within the United States with a Pediatric Brain Tumor. This diagnosis is devastating to parents and a host of challenges comes along with that diagnosis. The PBTF raises funds to help these parents with a host of expenses that are not directly related to medical and hospital bills. These include travel expenses, hotel or motel expenses when away from a home town, day care for siblings, and a host of other potential expenses that come along with this problem.
Kelly explained that few challenges can compare to dealing with the news that a child in your family has a brain tumor. The emotional burden can seem beyond anyone’s ability to cope, and there are very difficult decisions involved in coming to terms. Through their educational materials and family support programs, they help you navigate through your family’s unique experience.
Kelly also explained the Butterfly Fund that provides emergency financial assistance for families of children on treatment at certain medical facilities. To qualify for assistance, families affected by a pediatric brain tumor disease must have an unmet financial need as a direct result of the child’s brain tumor diagnosis, and their child must also be receiving treatment at one of the partner facilities located around the country. This fund currently has about $500,000 in it thanks to fundraisers and generous donors. Locally, the PBTF partners with the Texas Children's Hospital.
Kelly is also involved with an annual fundraiser called "Ride For Kids" which is a fun filled event to raise awareness about childhood brain tumors and to raise funds for medical research and family support. The local Ride For Kids event will be held on April 29, 2018 and starts at the Lake Conroe KOA located at 19785 Highway 105, Montgomery, Texas 77356. the cost is $50 for each rider and any kid who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor can ride with a rider. At the end of the event, a local church group puts on a BBQ dinner.
Lastly, Kelly told everyone that there are about 100 foundations within the United States that were set up for the same reasons and that all of these organizations are competing for the same funds. Therefore, the PBTF is currently working with other foundations to see if it is possible to merge into larger organizations and maybe one day into a single national organization.
To learn more about the PBTF, go to: http://www.curethekids.org/
