Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Dallas DuBose Memorial Fund of Brain Tumor Foundation for Children, Inc

Dear Friends and Family,

As the anniversary of Dallas' death nears, we have been searching for a way to turn the sorrow of our loss into a benefit for others. Thus, we are extremely pleased to announce the founding of the Dallas DuBose Memorial Fund of Brain Tumor Foundation for Children, Inc.

Approximately 2,200 children and adolescents in the United States are diagnosed with a brain tumor each year. That is more than 42 children each week. Aside from the devastating emotional effects, the financial impact to a family of such a diagnosis is enormous. Often times, one or both parent misses work or even loses employment. Costs associated with treatment (including transportation, lodging, food, etc) add up quickly and when added to the normal household expenses (i.e. groceries, rent, utilities), can place an added financial burden to an already strained situation.

It is our hope that the Dallas DuBose Memorial Fund, through it’s involvement with BTFC, will help raise money so that we may offer direct financial relief to families of brain tumor patients. Our fund will help pay household expenses (i.e. mortgage/rent, utilities, phone, car payments) to families fighting this deadly disease. To begin with, we will focus on assisting those families being treated at the UF Pediatric Brain Tumor Program at Shands (where Dallas was treated) and the surrounding North Florida area. We are very excited to give back to those who gave so generously to us and to hopefully alleviate some of the stress associated with caring for a child with such a serious illness.

We are launching the Dallas DuBose Memorial Fund by participating in the 13th Annual Race for Hope-DC in Washington, DC on May 2nd. The Race for Hope is a 5k Run/Walk benefiting the National Brain Tumor Society and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure. Our family, along with other family members and friends will be participating in the Race as Dally’s Dashers and our registration fees will benefit the Race for Hope.
WE NEED YOUR HELP! Our initial fundraising goal is an aggressive one of $25,000 for the year. This amount would allow us to distribute a little over $2,000 a month to struggling families. We are asking that you become a “soldier” in Dallas’ army and sponsor us in our inaugural event by visiting this link to Dallas’ page: http://www.firstgiving.com/dallasdubosefund

We urge anyone and everyone to take part in raising money for our inaugural event…tell your friends, tell your neighbors, tell your coworkers. Perhaps your club or organization, or your company or the company you work for, is looking for a cause they can support. In the coming weeks and months leading up to the Race, there will be other opportunities for you to become involved in various fund raising events such as bake sales, auctions, raffles, pong tournaments, etc. and we would be thrilled to have you join us in our efforts. No amount is too small; no effort unappreciated. For those of you in other communities who would like to take a more active role, this site might be helpful in providing some ideas: http://www.fund-raising.com/fundraising-ideas.php

Remember the estimated 2,200 children in this country that will be diagnosed with a brain tumor this year? They are your neighbors, your child's classmate, your niece, your nephew, your grandchild. Won’t you help us help them? It’s too late for Dallas, but his memory and spirit remains strong in us all. Your efforts and donations will ensure his legacy lives on.
Thank you so much for your support!
Sincerely,

Shel DuBose
Jessica DuBose
Larry DuBose
David DuBose


**For those planning to come to DC and participate in the race email Jessie DuBose at jessicadubose@gmail.com or Shel DuBose at sldubose@aol.com with your RSVP so that we may provide you with information on housing, events we are planning and costs estimates. We understand that these are trying times financially and that many of Dallas' friends are students so we have done a lot of research to attempt to tailor this trip to an affordable budget.
The deadline for online registration for the Race for Hope - DC is Tuesday, April 27 at 12 noon.

Please note the following links are only for those who are planning on participating in the Race and who want to register. All contributions should be made to the Dallas DuBose Memorial Fund at the link shown above.

Click here to visit my personal page.

If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://www.braintumorcommunity.org/site/TR/Events/RFH-DC?px=2255681&pg=personal&fr_id=1490&et=WigLJQBghPeiOoUXokKkzQ..&s_tafId=38260
Click here to view the team page for Dally's Dashers

If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://www.braintumorcommunity.org/site/TR/Events/RFH-DC?team_id=34490&pg=team&fr_id=1490&et=ziFGalpYPmDhJXbuvlPgIw..&s_tafId=38260