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Brain Tumor Foundation for Children FY2009 Year-End Report
As we report to you on accomplishments of our 2009 fiscal year which came to a close on June 30, we would first like to extend our sincerest thanks to all of our donors, sponsors and friends - old and new - who help us fulfill our mission. Your support is invaluable to us and the children and families we serve.
The Board of Directors revised our mission statement slightly in FY2009 to articulate the focus of “direct patient and family support” for which we are known:
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The mission of the Brain Tumor Foundation for Children is to provide financial assistance, social support, and information for families of children with brain and spinal cord tumors; fund research projects that improve treatment options and search for a cure; and raise public awareness of the disease and advocate on behalf of children who are affected.
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…provide financial assistance, social support, and information…
- As a major focus at BTFC since 2000, our Butterfly Fund again brought temporary emergency financial relief for many affected families; in fact 206 families in the Southeast were served last year. A total of $282,000 was provided to these families in need during their child’s treatment. This amount included $111,000 for rent and mortgage payments; $38,000 for home utility bills; $31,000 in gasoline gift cards; and $36,000 in assistance with funeral expenses for parents who did not have other means. Grateful parents continually remind us that the Butterfly Fund is making a big impact for families who often have nowhere else to turn during their time of crisis. We are proud to be the leader in providing this level and type of financial assistance among similar charitable organizations.
It is important to note that our recent expansion of the Butterfly Fund, specifically in Florida, could not have been accomplished without the phenomenal fundraising efforts of our young Miami friend Christina Reyes and her establishment of Christina's Kidz as our South Florida Chapter, which covers financial assistance in that state. We are so grateful to Christina for her hard work and dedication!
.jpg) We continued to offer social support through our many activities and social networking events, such as the Fishing Extravaganza, Boating Bonanza, BTFC Picnic, and Annual Holiday Party as well as periodic hospital luncheons for parents of inpatients at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, “Mom’s Dinners” for local mothers to facilitate networking and support, and our Annual “Celebration of Life” luncheon for parents who recently lost a child.
- Once again, our Larry Dean Davis Scholarship in the amount of $2,500 was awarded to two pediatric brain tumor survivors on their way to college. Read about them here.
- We regularly attended outpatient Brain Tumor Clinic each week at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) at Scottish Rite where our staff and volunteers meet new and current patients and families. Routine visits continue to be made to families on both campuses of CHOA.
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…fund research projects…
- In 2008, we announced that our William’s Walk & Run fundraiser would once again be devoted to funding research efforts and $70,000 in net proceeds was raised with the help of generous sponsors, friends and parents. We are currently awaiting research grant applications from researchers in the Southeast for this funding.
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…improve treatment options…
- As in the last seven years, we continue to support fundraising efforts for the Intraoperative MRI at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta through our Presenting
 Sponsorship of the Spring Baseball Classic for Kids. Installed in 2007, the groundbreaking iMRI makes surgery safer and more effective for children with brain tumors. It is our understanding that once this equipment is paid for, this annual event will continue to support the Brain Tumor Program at Children’s. We look forward to continuing our support of this important endeavor.
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…raise public awareness of the disease and advocate on behalf of children…
- Our annual fundraising events, such as the Flight of the Butterflies spring gala, the J. Smith Lanier & Co. Charity Golf Classic, and William’s Walk & Run are widely promoted within the metro
Atlanta area and beyond. Through these and other BTFC sponsored events, we are able to involve the community in our cause and to raise public awareness of the critical needs of the families of children diagnosed with pediatric brain tumor disease. In addition, regular newspaper ads, promotional spots run in airports and on TV and our website are tools used to raise public awareness.
Our Board member Marsi Thrash has been instrumental in keeping our families and friends informed about the latest developments in government advocacy issues, and we thank Marsi for her involvement.
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| We remain committed to making life better for the families we serve. And we remain confident that, with the help of our many donors even during these difficult economic times, we can continue to serve the pediatric brain tumor community in and the Southeast in an important and meaningful way.
Please take a look around our website to learn more about our work. If you would like to help in any way, or if you would like to join with us to honor your child or a child you know through a special fund or event, please contact us.
Thank you for your support!
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