BRAINUP WINTER NEWSLETTER 2018

A Message from the Co-Founders   As 2018 comes to a close, we would like to take a look back and reflect on the accomplishments of BrainUp in its third year as a growing foundation. We are humbled by all of you that have joined us on this journey to make a difference in the world of brain cancer research. We would like to thank all that continue to make this become a reality and a success. Peace in this Holiday Season and in the Coming Year. 

What's new in BrainUp In the past year BrainUp has added 3 new members to our existing Board of Directors. We would like to welcome Daniel Hegg , Michael Andel and Jay Deihs . These new members have personally been impacted by this disease and will bring their commitment to making BrainUp be the best organization it can be. We are fortunate to have them join our team and we send them a warm welcome.   In addition to expanding our Board of Directors, we have created a Young Professional Board (YPB). The members of this board are young professionals between the ages of 25-35 that are interested in participating in an organization in a philanthropic way, and to broaden their leadership skills that can assist them in their individual career paths. This group of young professionals work collaboratively in supporting BrainUp as well as creating fundraising events that are geared to their age group. Please take look at our web page to see the individuals that make up the Young Professional Board. If you are interested in joining our YPB go to [email protected] and email us about your interest and you will be contacted by the YPB Executive Chair. To see more information about the YPB go to b rainup.ngo .

REFLECTING ON 2018

3rd Annual Run/Walk Maggie Daley Park BrainUp held yet another successful Run/Walk. In our first two years, we had been searching for the perfect location for our annual event and we think we have found it in the Maggie Daley Park . This park is centrally located in the city of Chicago, it has access to parking at the Millenium Garage and it has beautiful views of the city and the lakefront. This park was also built in memory of Maggie Daley who lost her life to cancer and within the park there is a quiet space and cancer garden with words of inspiration and guidance for those fighting cancer.   We are already planning for our 4th Annual Run/Walk to be at the Maggie Daley Park in October 2019 . So watch for more information in 2019!   We are excited to report that this year the 3 rd Annual Run/Walk raised $218,000.00 with 670 participants ! In reaching this dollar amount raised we want to acknowledge our first Presenting Sponsor from Dermody Properties . This donation of $25,000.00 was made in memory of Charles Benvenuto and made to Team Benvenuto which raised $40,200.00 . We would like to give them a special thank you for this donation. However, the backbone of our success is achieved through all of our hardworking our teams, and this year we had 40 Teams that walked and ran with their families and friends. It was through all of their kind donations of their friends and families that also contributed to our success. The teams are walking and running for the person in their lives that are fighting or who they lost to brain cancer.   Take a moment and look at the 2018 photo gallery it was a beautiful day!   Click here to view Pictures

Hair to Help Raised $11,196.00 The following Salons along with Wella Professionals participated in the "Hair for Help" event that took place at the Park West in Chicago with all proceeds going to the charity of their choice which this year was BrainUp. Special thanks to the participating salons; Charles Morris Salon, Salon Evangelos, Vanis Salon and the three Jeffrey LaMorte Salons. Watch a video of the event here !

Cheers for Charity Raised $7,984.00 BrainUp hosted their 3 rd Annual Cheers for Charity in August 2018 at Lagunitas in Chicago. This year we filled the room to capacity and had a great evening with a spilt- the- pot, raffles and great food provided by BarBQthoria. Thank You to the YPB for hosting this event! Plan to join us again in 2109!  Click here to view pictures

Train for the Brain Raised $4,675.00 Hosted by: Inspyr Studio in Arlington Heights IL On November 17 th 2018 Inspyr Studio hosted an event in conjunction with Jay and Laurie Deihs to raise and awareness and funds for BrainUp . Jay Deihs recently became a Board Member of BrainUp after losing his brother to brain cancer in 2017. He and his wife Laurie are members of this studio and have a close relationship with the owners Amy Winter, Kelly Schnell, and Tom Hegberg. They had 50 attendees that came to the studio on that afternoon and did a cardio/strengthening session to then move to the spin room and work up a further sweat and "train for the brain". Various community merchants donated items for a successful raffle. The event was truly “ INSPYRING ” and all attendees and staff were amazing. They Raised $4,675.00!! Take a look at the pictures and see the energy!! THANK YOU, Inspyr Studio !!

Steve's Ball Raised $10,987.00 Steve is a cancer survivor and celebrated his tenth year of being Cancer Free! He celebrated his 10 year cancer clean by hosting a fundraiser in celebrating his story and wanting to give back by hosting a Ball. Steve has done many fundraising initiatives along the way. However this year he had decided to select BrainUp  and give all the proceeds he raised after hearing the story of Olivia Kresach losing her life to brain cancer. Steve and Olivia never knew each other but he knew Olivia’s best friend Darrah McDermott and the connection was made. Steve also became familiar with the devastation of brain cancer as a nurse in the Northwestern Memorial Hospirtal’s neuro ICU. Steve is currently in the process of obtaining his PhD in Healthcare. We'd like to extend a special Thank You to Steve . View the pictures from the Ball. It looked like a ball! Click here to view pictures

Where does your Money Go?

In 2018 we shared the information that BrainUp funded two initiatives at our Chicago Hospitals that we know have strong programs in the care and research of people diagnosed with brain cancer. The two programs that we funded can be viewed at the BrainUp web page brainup.ngo . There is also a short video that explains the multi-institutional trial titled “Safety and Tolerability of Acetazolmide with Temozolmide in newly diagnosed MGMT Promoter-Methylated Malignant Glioma." We continue to monitor the progress of the trial and there are currently 2 patients enrolled at this time.   We are currently accepting requests from our partner hospitals for clinical trial grants that they are planning to start in 2019. These decisions are made on the recommendation of the Medical Advisory Committee members.   We want to remind our donors that all the money raised by BrainUp will stay here in Chicago at our partner hospitals . We know that Chicago has some of the nations premier research institutions in brain cancer care and we want to make sure that we continue to provide the access to the best care to our loved ones impacted by brain cancer.

Amazon Smile We are excited to announce that U now can support BrainUp when U shop AmazonSmile. Just click on the link below (instead of the regular Amazon site) and Amazon will give a % of your purchase to brain cancer research! It doesn't cost U anything. Now U have a good reason to shop.

Start Shopping Now!

THANK YOU A lot has been accomplished in this last year. We are a foundation that is growing and making a difference in the brain cancer community. We need to continue to support our hospitals and those that are providing the care, from the physicians, nurses, social support services, and the researchers. Thank You all for supporting BrainUp . Peace to all in the coming year! Dan and Meg Kresach Co-Founders of BrainUp

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BrainUp is a not-for-profit public charity recognized by the IRS under 501(c)(3). BrainUp EIN # is 47-5516802