Hello All,
I hope that life is treating everyone wonderful. I am reaching out to my fellow human beings because I am going through troubled times right now and I am praying everyday that things will get better. I recently had open heart surgery to have a ventricular device implanted due to severe heart failure amongst other health problems to include prostate cancer. I am struggling big time financially, mentally, physically and emotionally because I need help and have always been independent and self sufficient. I am awaiting a decision from social security disability that dates back to September of last year when I was hospitalized for 4 consecutive months. Can someone please help me in anyway possible? I would greatly appreciate it!!
The Cure Starts Now is a wonderful non-profit who cares deeply about the cause they are fighting for. It's evident from their communications and financials that they don't just want to bolster their image, but truly want to fund research to cure cancer and have it as their absolute main goal.
This charity not only goes above and beyond for cancer families, they also go above and beyond to ensure they are funding worthwhile research. Any time I donate, I am confident that my support is going to the greater overall cause.
I found The Cure Starts Now during a sleepless night scrolling the internet. My daughter had just passed away from pediatric brain cancer and I couldn’t believe we didn’t have these resources, support, and community in Canada. My husband decided to join forces and bring this amazing charity to Canada.
The Cure Starts Now is such a caring, supportive, and innovative non profit! I have seen first hand and spoken with the families that they have helped. No families should be told that there is nothing that medical science can do for their child and that they should go home and make memories. The Cure Starts Now is fighting to find the Homerun Cure for all cancers by focusing on the toughest ones, like pediatric brain cancer. They have given hope to so many with their family support, trial finder, and research funding. They are the real deal.
I’ve been involved with The Cure Starts Now since it’s inception, mostly as a volunteer, but also for a short time as an employee responsible for the onboarding of new chapters. They continue to impress me with their growth and the amazing work they’re doing to find not only the cure for pediatric brain cancers but a home run cure for all cancers. They have built a network of other brain cancer foundations who work together to continuously fund medical research grants that are making true progress toward this goal. This cuts down on duplicated efforts and redundant research dollars spent. I’m happy to support this organization with my time, donations and dollars.
An organization that is searching for a homerun cure to childhood cancers, I knew nothing about this disease before my daughter got it and they have been a huge blessing in our lives and the lives of everyone touched by this.
It is comforting to know that all donations made to the Cure Starts Now go to funding research! This helps them stand out against other communities and prove how reputable they are.
100% of your donation goes towards pediatric brain cancer research -- almost no other foundations can say that. And did you know The Cure Starts Now is independently audited each year to verify this?
Supporting this organization is easy because they are one of the most authentic non-profits that truly puts their money where it belongs. The cure for cancer will come from science and research in the medical community and that is where their funding goes. While they support over 700 families and children, the focus on cures for pediatric brain cancer is unparalleled. The fact that they have grown to fund close to $30M dollars with 39 chapters around the world showcases that their efforts are working.
I can't say enough about The Cure Starts Now, and the difference this organization has made for so many families, and for pediatric brain cancer research! I had the privilege of attending the very first gala many years ago in Cincinnati, and have been honored to volunteer ever since. The amount of research this organization has funded, and the outreach and services to families is unparalleled.
This organization is THE most dedicated, heartfelt, authentic nonprofit I have ever known. Thank YOU CSN for what you do. To the Desserich Family and to all those on staff and who head the many chapters...you are amazing people!
The Cure Starts now is a great organization that has brought so much awareness to pediatric brain cancer, especially DIPG, which is a brain cancer I never knew existed until my niece was diagnosed in 2020. Their mission to fund research to help find a cure for all cancers speaks for itself! They welcome new chapters to their organization to families that are affected by cancer, giving these families the opportunity to continue their journey in finding a cure in honor of their loved ones, and in doing so keeping their loved ones’ memories alive. My niece and nephew just started their chapter and I couldn’t be more proud of them! CSN has given light to their broken hearts to continue their journey on behalf of their baby girl!
The Cure Starts Now is a wonderful organization dedicated to finding the homerun cure for cancer. Their passion and drive exceeds expectations. 100% of donations go towards research.
As a parent to a child with brain cancer, the support we received from The Cure Starts Now was appreciated by the whole family. They are caring, attentive, giving and empathetic. We support their mission of ending cancer once and for all.
I have been a volunteer with The Cure Starts Now for a long time. This organization is a group of the most caring, passionate, and driven people fighting to find a Homerun cure for cancer. They also offer so much support to the families of children touched by brain cancer.
Everyone worries if the money they donate towards charity actually goes to what it says it will, and with CSN, every single dollar donated does. Over $18 million directly to research, with quantifiable results like new drug trials and the creation of the largest DIPG digital database. What CSN does towards finding the cure for cancer is amazing. On the other side of things, the work they do for families affected by brain cancer as a support system and information provider is invaluable.
I'm so proud to support this organization.
The Cure Starts Now is an amazing organization that has given us the ability to raise money towards research in a responsible and organized manner in memory of our daughter.
CSN is a wonderful nonprofit that raises funding and awareness for pediatric brain tumor research. When my daughter was diagnosed with DIPG, this organization has been there for my family and we are so thankful for them.
We connected to The Cure Starts Now when our youngest child was battling DIPG. The organization impressed us because of their transparency and focus on research. We directed all money received at our daughter’s memorial service to The Cure Starts Now and eventually started a chapter in order to continue raising funds to help find a cure for all cancers starting with the most deadly and difficult of pediatric brain cancers.
The Cure Starts Now has been so valuable to me! They care and support families of children with brain tumors, especially DIPG. For my family the love and support has been immeasurable. They are always right beside you every step of the way. The CSN continues to raise funds that support a cure, they lead the way in research. I'm proud to be a part of this family!
There is no cure to heal a mothers broken heart. The cure starts now is a fantastic organization that helps comfort a part of my broken heart. TOGETHER, we WILL find a cure for the evil DIPG!!!! Current research shows that we are on the cusp of a breakthrough. Continued funding is essential and THE CURE STARTS NOW is the only organization I fully support. The staff is phenomenal! I will have my 3rd annual fundraiser this fall and all proceeds go to them.
During my daughter’s battle with DIPG I felt helpless, the Cure Starts Now has given me the opportunity to turn the helplessness into something hopeful. There are so many positive things the Cure Starts Now does besides raise the much needed funds for Pediatric Brain Cancer Research.
Cure Starts Now (CSN) funds critical research for the most devastating types of pediatric brain cancer. We learned about CSN because they were behind much of the research for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, which our daughter Madelyn was diagnosed with in 2015. We were so inspired by their work that became a chapter to help make a difference in memory of our daughter. The collaborative network of researchers and culture of information sharing encouraged by CSN has expedited progress for pediatric brain cancer. The staff and chapters at CSN are a close knit group and the cause is personal for all of us that are working together to find a cure. I attached a link to a CSN fundraiser run/walk from our chapter as well as a photo of Madelyn, who inspires us to make sure that kids battling pediatric brain cancer get better treatment.
I love that they have a low operating budget and that the donor funds go where they say they are going. Pediatric brain cancer is a devastating diagnosis and we need more organizations that will tackle it. They are funding ground-breaking research. They have also been very empathetic and helpful towards parents whose children are suffering from DIPG and need help and direction through their partnership with the DIPG Collaborative.
I love this charity and everything it stands for. The donations go to support research on a less common form of childhood brain cancer that the government generally doesn't support with federal funds. The researchers that are trying to find a cure for this devastating form of brain cancer rely on funding from private foundations like The Cure Starts Now, and we have made so much progress in learning more about these tumors and why they are so deadly. Love the people involved and the passionate supporters of the charity!
The Cure Starts Now is a great organization w impressively low overhead, so we always know our donations are truly going to childhood brain cancer research. The Cure Starts Now is making a huge difference in the world of Pediatric brain cancer!
Unlike many charities that have a high percentage of every dollar go towards overhead, The Cure Starts Now keeps that overhead as low as they possibly can so as much as possible goes towards research and support of brain cancer. Those who run the organization work tirelessly to put donors hard earned money to work in order to make progress against cancer. Why do they do this? Because they were personally affected by the death of a child to cancer. Every decision they make is in the interest of the charity and its mission.
This is a well organized foundation, that has a great spirit and a passion to find a homerun cure for cancer. I love working with the staff and all the other volunteers.
When I first encountered The Cure Starts Now I knew there was something different about them and their approach. It was clearly about much more than simple fundraising...it was about families first and foremost...and a dedicated effort to make a real-time difference with the dollars being raised.
I had always counted myself among the precious few who had not only found a way to marry my hobbies, passions and vocation…but having discovered an opportunity to apply those to making a real, tangible difference has been life-changing. Producing events has always brought a smile to my face and a sense of pride, but watching those dollars being immediately turned around to fund such meaningful research has added a layer of satisfaction and substance that I could never have imagined.
The Cure Starts Now is an amazing organization with a reach that continues to grow...and together we ARE making a difference!
I have been around this charity since it started. Everyone involved has a passion for what they do and the hope of the homerun cure. They have already made progress since it started in 2007. I'm very proud and humble to be able to be associated with such a wonderful charity. My hope is in the future we won't need this charity anymore because we will have found our homerun cure.
What an amazing foundation - The Chapters are fueled by parents and heart, so there's incredibly low overhead, allowing almost every dollar to go straight to DIPG research. I'm proud to be a part of this movement and I'm confident that this is the organization that will find a Homerun Cure for Cancer!
I'm so proud to be a part of this organization as the Houston Hearts of Gold Chapter. We had our first major public event with Jeff and Sheila, the race directors. They were extremely responsive, caring and professional--I seriously could not pull it off without their support. We're all in this together with one goal in sight--to find the homerun cure through kids brain cancer cutting edge medical research.
I have volunteered for CSN for 5 years now. This organization is run by people with utmost integrity who work tirelessly to find better treatments for kids fighting brain cancer. Some have lost their own children to the disease but fight hard so that others do not suffer the same outcome. I would strongly encourage donating or volunteering for Cure Starts Now.
I have been working with The Cure Starts Now for more than 10 years. This organization is the most dedicated group of individuals I have ever encountered in my time of volunteering for non-profits. Their commitment and "no nonsense" approach to finding a "home run cure" for cancer is unique in the world of cancer charities. Their support of innovative research, that might otherwise go unfunded, will be the key to unlocking the mystery of this disease. I am proud to be associated with their efforts.
The Cure Starts Now is a great comfort to families that are suffering from this horrible disease. You know you are contributing to research that will wipe out cancer. The fundraisers are handled professionally from everyday people who care. I love to volunteer and help any time they need me.
Exceptional people dedicated to finding a cure. Motivated only by the desire find a cure before another family has to face a diagnosis. Focus is on fostering collaboration and promising research.
A wonderful organization with such caring, passionate people! I have volunteered many times over the years for them and while my heart breaks with each story I know I couldn't not help in every capacity. They do so much good for so many. The events are well organized, the organization is worldwide and the focus remains steady...find a cure! Can't wait for the next event.
This is an amazing organization that has made great progress with pediatric brain cancer research. They have a great network of families all across the world that have come together to help find a cure for children with brain cancer.
The Cure Starts Now is comprised of fun, outgoing, unbelievably caring and dedicated people. I was introduced to CSN shortly after moving back to Cincinnati when my mother asked if I wanted to volunteer with her at a local event. I knew I had stumbled into something special and I was truly taken back by CSN’s mission and their approach to finding the HOMERUN CURE. With the money they raise The Cure Starts Now is constantly awarding grants that are on the cutting edge of research. Getting to see the impact of everyone’s hard work and efforts go DIRECTLY & QUICKLY into the researchers hands is amazing.
I do not have a connection to cancer in my family, but over many months of volunteering I found myself wanting to give back and be involved as often as possible, offering my time and skills. Now they have me for life...or at least until we find the HOMERUN CURE!
This is by far one of the best charities for childhood cancer research I've ever come across. They have a less than 2% overhead and 100%of the proceeds go directly to researchers hands after a small credit card fee. I couldn't have asked for a better organization to work with to help bring awareness and raise much-needed research funds within my state of Arkansas. The best thing about working with this organization other than the super low overhead cost is that they truly care and they can relate to you on a very real level. They are on the same mission. I really believe in their mission to find a homerun cure for all cancers one child at a time.
I have volunteered for The Cure Starts Now for a couple of years. Their drive and determination to find a cure for Cancer is what makes me WANT to volunteer at the many successful events that they work so hard to put on. I have witnessed first hand the Love and Compassion that they show for these awesome " Heros " who are fighting this horrible disease. I am met with a smile and more often than not, a grateful Hug every time I see any member of the team. You feel like you are working with them, not for them. A Homerun Cure for Cancer will be found and it will be because of The Cure Starts Now !!!
Excellent organization with profound knowledge and compassion in their work to bring awareness and funding for pediatric cancer.
I have been volunteering for 14 months to help share the mission of this grass roots organization. Besides raising my children, it has been the best accomplishment of my life. The whole foundation, but especially the founders and staff, work tirelessly to save the lives of pediatric cancer patients. 24/7. We find it most important to find a cure for pediatric brain cancer because along with many experts, this will lead to the HOMERUN cure for ALL cancers, both pediatric and adult. The overhead is only 2% so virtually all funds donated go to medical research. So far, they've given 59 grants totally 7.3 million dollars all over the world.
Amazing charity who truly is focused on funding the best and most innovative DIPG ersearch in the world. Can't say enough about it's chapters and volunteers!
This amazing charity has had less than 2% overhead for the past three years. They have also worked and partnered with other charities to change the funding of brain tumor research for the deadliest brain tumor.
This is an amazing charity built and run by some of the best people I have ever met. A friend of mine invited me to volunteer and I didn't know much about the charity. So I researched it and spent the weekend volunteering for their big yearly event. It seriously changed my life. I have never felt so good to help such a great cause. I've been back every year since. Nearly every volunteer and member has lost a child to brain cancer. Their dedication to finding a cure is relentless. You want to help ease their pain by giving everything you possibly can to help. Finding the cure for pediatric brain cancer will most likely help find the cure for all cancers. Everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer. So I cannot think of any charity on earth better than this one.
When we moved from Boston 8 yrs. ago, where I was on the board of The Jimmy Fund, I wanted to find an honest, hard-working organization that helped children with brain cancer to volunteer with. I found The Cure Starts Now on the Internet. Not only are the organizers honest and hard-working -- they have goals that are being met, while striving to find a cure for DIPG and ultimately, The Homerun Cure for ALL cancers. The Cure Starts Now has exceeded my expectations over and over in their faithfulness to the cause. Thank you, Brooke and Keith Desserich for doing EVERYTHING "First Class" that you touch in striving for these goals. Gary and I support you with our love and help, as health allows.
Some people occasionally donate time and money to non-profit organizations, which is wonderful because volunteers are invaluable. But I have chosen to work day in and day out for The Cure Starts Now Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to finding the 'homerun cure' for all cancers by focusing on DIPG - one of the most deadly pediatric brain tumors.
When I tell people that I work for a non-profit, I always get questions like, 'Is that a stable job?', 'Do you even make enough money?' Going in I knew that non-profits traditionally paid less than for profit jobs, I mean after all they are in the business of furthering a cause, not lining their pockets. For me, I get more satisfaction than just making a paycheck. I am excited to wake up and go to work, because it is another chance for me to help another child or another family. I had an 'Aha!' moment a few years ago where I knew that this was something bigger than just me, and that I needed to be involved with this cause.
So why am I inspired to give my time when I could work anywhere else? My boss lost her 6-year-old daughter, Elena, to DIPG. Chances are you are wondering what DIPG is. It stands for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. In laments terms, it is a brain stem tumor that isn't a solid mass, think of it as a jelly fish with tentacles that basically wraps itself around the nerves in your brain stem cutting off basic vital functions. The saddest part - DIPG typically affects children between the ages of 5-7 with less than 300 diagnosed a year in the world.
I never got to meet Elena, but she and all of the other children and families I have met inspire me to spread awareness about DIPG everywhere I go. Over the last four years that I have worked for The Cure Starts Now I have heard the term DIPG too many times. I could never imagine being a parent and hearing the words 'Your child has cancer,' or 'There's nothing we can do'.
I am inspired by the strength and tenacity of these families to just keep going when they are at the darkest points in their lives. Instead of just crawling under a rock when the last thing you want to do is talk to people, these families put themselves out there because they want to make a difference. They don't want another family to have to go through the heartbreaking experience that they did.
One particular person that I had the privilege of meeting was Lauren Hill, the 19-year-old college basketball player who battled DIPG that inspired the nation last year. Lauren much like my boss, Lauren knew that what she was doing to advocate awareness and funds for research wouldn't help her in her battle, but it would help the next family, until there were no more next families.
I have never experienced the loss of a close family member or friend due to cancer, which is typically the number one reason a person would get involved with an organization such as The Cure Starts Now. But as I grew closer with the Hill family, I knew that once Lauren passed away it would hit me hard, and it did. I am actually getting teary-eyed typing this. What I took away from Lauren was this, 'I never gave up for a second, even when they told me that I had a terminal diagnosis. I never thought about sitting down and not living life anymore.'
Lauren's motto was 'never give up', myself and all of the other people that work tirelessly for The Cure Starts Now institute that in our daily lives. We might not have a fundraiser that does well, we might hear the story of another child who passes away, our researchers might not get the best results on a study they are doing, but do we give up? No. Never. I will keep working everyday until we cure cancer and I can put myself out of a job. I will do it for Elena, Lauren and the children who are yet to come.
That's my 'why', what's yours?
Learn more about The Cure Starts Now at www.thecurestartsnow.org.
Review from #MyGivingStory