It was such an incredible honor to deliver you donations this past week, to meet the researchers who you are supporting and to understand our collective role in making the world a better place.
Once again, the Kyrie Foundation was graciously welcomed by the PBTF. We are so grateful to be partners in this formidable task of curing children's brain cancer. And it is because of their years and years of work prior to Kyrie that we all—you and me and your pals and your colleagues and your kids—are coming into the story at a pivotal point.
The idea of collaboration across many teams or many institutions in the medical field is far easier said than done. We are contributing to the moment in this cancer-fighting saga where the story changes.
We were thrilled and humbled to meet so many researchers from the leading pediatric brain cancer research: Duke University Medical Center, Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, and the University of California-San Francisco.
We heard dozens of unpublished presentations on the latest and newest developments and ideas in the field. Admittedly, much of the terminology was above and beyond my studies, however, the enthusiasm and the commitment was ever-apparent.
Researchers on our left, in particular, were on the edge of their seats, ready to engage with the information like I'm sure your kids are awaiting their first day of summer vacation.
The apex of the experience was the final dialogue amongst all institutions, a conversation about pooling data—a field first that we all were able to witness!
On Wednesday evening we dined with everyone at the Court of the Two Sisters restaurant in the French Quarter, a scrumptious dinner hosted by the PBTF. We sat with Dr. Frost and his lovely wife, co-founder of the PBTF Diane Traynor, Chris Hoefflin on the PBTF board of directors and the illustrious Dr. Rutka—a table of teamwork of the greatest kind. Prior to dinner, Dianne said a few words to the roomful of scientists followed by a few more words from Chad saying how much all of us believe in the work that these people are doing. Then we handed over the big check!
We unknowingly assumed that these research must get checks like our every other day. We learned how special this grant money is simply by hearing their gratitude firsthand and seeing such delight and surprise on their faces.
So ... know that your dollars are getting the world to the cure. I can't tell you how many times I heard "just wait to see where we are five years from now!" and this is coming directly from the people on the front lines! This affirms how important your support truly is. If you want to see an end to children's brain cancer, this is exactly where you want to be. ;)
A huge amount of thanks to the PBTF for hosting such a powerful event and for getting us all to this point of monumental potential. As for the Kyrie Foundation, let's get started on the next grant!
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