You've been to charity events, and you've been to sports events - but have you ever been to a charity sports event? Can you imagine anything more fun than playing dodge ball, rock climbing, and jumping on enormous trampolines for a good cause? Thanks to B*CURED, you have the chance to do all of them on February 23rd! I am very passionate about non-profits, and this one is dear to my heart. I have too many friends who have lost loved ones to brain cancer. More research is needed, and it is needed now.
I recently sat down with 2 of the 4 event co-chairs, Kristin Duda and Karena Bailey, to talk about why they believe in this cause. Sadly, both of my dear friends lost their mothers to brain cancer. My heart aches for them, but I am so incredibly proud of all that they do to honor their mothers through B*CURED. For more information visit the B*CURED website. Come to the event. I will be there, and I'll be ready to play. Hope you will too!
What is
B*CURED? And why was it started?
Kristin Duda (KD) - B*CURED is a volunteer non-profit organization based in Greenwich. It strives to
find a cure for brain cancer by providing grants for innovative brain cancer
research. The name stands for Brain Cancer Understanding, Research,
Education and Development. The organization was founded in 2008 by Melissa
Salame and Debbie Needle after each lost a parent to brain cancer.
Having
lost a parent to brain cancer - why were you drawn to this charity?
Karena Bailey (KB) - For
starters, it was local. Therefore it felt reachable, but also powerful. After
watching my mom suffer I knew I had to make a difference and B*CURED has let me
do that. I found the bigger brain cancer charities left little room for
me to personally make a difference -- I could run a race or just raise money,
but I had little involvement in where it went.
KD - When I
moved out from NYC to Connecticut, I was looking for a charitable organization
to give some of my time to that would be meaningful on a personal level. Having
lost my Mom when I was 16, I really wanted to honor her and put my time towards
fighting this devastating disease. Brain cancer isn't as widely talked
about or known as other cancers, such as breast cancer and colon cancer, so it
was hard to find an organization where I could do more than just send a check. I
remember reading Greenwich Magazine after having moved to the area in the
spring of 2008 and seeing a blurb about B*CURED. I emailed the founders Debbie
and Melissa right away. After meeting them, I felt like it was fate, and I
knew I wanted to team up with them and together we could help make a difference.
KB - In 4 years with B*CURED,
we have raised $400,000 all of which has awarded 8 research grants. Because of a special course of treatment using
"glio wafers" that came out of the exact type of research we support
through B*CURED, my mom lived 22 months (she was predicted to live only 9). If
I can be a part of helping a scientist change the course of this disease, I
feel like I am doing right by my mom. It is without a doubt incredible to know
we can affect this disease.
KD - Since I've been involved, I have met some of the most amazing
people who have also been affected by this disease. While my hearts sinks
when I meet someone else who has had to endure this disease, I also feel
fortunate to have these new relationships in my life where we have this common
bond.
Why does
research make a difference in the fight against brain cancer?
KB - As
I mentioned above, through various types of research, we may find something
that will help someone survive. Unlike other cancers, patients are rarely
willing to offer their brains to research. What these scientists do is crucial
to changing the course of this disease. We understand that brain cancer and tumor patients are in
desperate need of new effective treatments. By funding innovative
researchers, we can bring new treatments to patients as quickly as possible.
KD - Brain
cancer research is sorely under-funded. I believe many of the greatest achievements in
science and medicine have been driven by entrepreneurism and its these
innovative researchers that can be a powerful force in advancing brain cancer research. I recall my
grandmother traveling with my Mom to other countries to get access to new
treatments and medicine, and I only wish we could accelerate research to find a
cure as quickly as possibly.
What will
this year's event be like?
KB - Totally
different from the standard cocktail party fundraiser. It's at Chelsea Piers
with private access to the batting cages, trampoline room and rock wall. And we
will host the event on an indoor turf. It is a tailgate meets Friday Night
Lights. It will be fantastic!
KD - We
wanted to change up the expected charitable evening and make it a playful, fun
evening for us adults to be like kids again. We have incredible food
vendors participating including Station Eats, Melt Mobile, Food Design
Catering, Medea Vodka and The Sweet Life. I am also especially excited about
our auction since we have incredible donations this year and for the first time
we have a live auction that will be led by Christie's. One item that might
steal the show is a vacation in a private residence on the exquisite island of
Mustique - this is a trip of a lifetime!!! Yankees fans, food
aficionados, golfers and fly wheel enthusiasts, to name a few, will all be
excited by our offerings.
If you
could be given any prize from the auction, what would it be?
KB - MUSTIQUE!!!!!
KD - I know it sounds cheesy, but seeing us raise enough money
for one or more research grants would be my biggest prize!
