This is a unique non-profit that hosts brainstorming meeting for the greatest minds in cancer research who share their UNPUBLISHED research in the hope of curing cancer faster.. One of the best ways to judge how successful it is is to talk to the participants. Every participant talks about what a great forum it is for exchanging ideas and learning information to further their research. Five different Nobel prize winners have participated in our Forums
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This is an innovative foundation which gives leading researchers and doctors in the field of cancer the ability to interact, test their ideas and find solutions faster. This is also a very efficient organization with little overhead. The funds are spent on facilitating the forums where interaction takes place.
The Forbeck Research Foundation is leading the way in cancer research, diagnosis, and collaboration. Forbeck Cancer Forums create a framework to produce a results driven exchange of ideas. The Scholar Retreats allow leading researchers to be able gather and collaborate outside of conventional constraints and barriers. My first introduction to the Forbeck Founation was through a family member after my melanoma metastasized. Needless to say, we were shocked and scared. In researching my next steps, my aunt connected me with the Forbeck Foundation. In turn, I was able to connect with a Forbeck Scholar, a renowned doctor in the field of melanoma, who was able to share with me next steps and guided me to a colleague at a comprehensive cancer center in my state. That doctor and the care that I received from him and my team saved my life. Not only was I in the best possible hands, I was learning so much about my cancer and how to fight to rid my body of it. That knowledge helped me stay strong and powerful in the race to become cancer-free. When my cancer diagnosis was delivered on the phone that day, I couldn’t take another breath, it was all consuming and frightened me to the core. Getting the care and information I needed to harness the fear and power up for the fight made a world of difference. This made me better and not worse, powerful and not paralyzed, and helped me harness the strength I needed to kick my cancer! I am not sure that I would have been as confident had I not learned about my disease through my incredible medical team who I gained access to through a Forbeck Scholar. The work that the Forbeck Foundation is doing is so progressive and efficient. I would highly recommend sponsoring a Scholar if you are interested in furthering the mission of curing cancer and advancing the medical community’s best opportunity to share and collaborate on ideas that advance a cure for cancer. It’s an opportunity to change not just one life, but those of so many.
This foundation is pure at heart, it is supported by family and friends. It quietly but persistently promotes cancer research. It is a foundation of love.
I have a tremendous respect for The Forbeck Foundation and the Forbeck Family for what they have done over the years and continue to do by helping junior scientists and by fostering collaboration across multiple fields of Cancer Research.
My interactions with the Forbeck Foundation has had a big impact on my scientific career and that of one of my post-doctoral fellow Olivier Ayrault who just published a paper in Cancer Cell, one of the top journals in Cancer Research .
I recall being at a MYC meeting at Hilton Head several years ago, a meeting that certainly has impacted my career in the MYC field in pediatric brain tumors. My research on the most devastating and least curable pediatric MYC-driven cerebellar tumors, a brain tumor called medulloblastoma, has been translated into two ongoing clinical trials and in one being currently written.
During a recent meeting on epigenetics and metabolism in Wisconsin, besides meeting great scientists and learning a lot about the field of metabolism, Dr. Lucy Godley from Northwestern and I have undertook a collaboration on the impact of metabolism and epigenetics in medulloblastoma. This collaboration would had not happened if I was not part of this think tank organized by the Foundation.
In 3 different cases, friends and family were given information needed to seek treatment options for different cancers. Mention of the Forbeck Foundation opened doors. This is an exemplary Foundation that is not seeking government money. It provides a Forum for cancer researchers to interact and become aware of what others are doing.
This year we celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the Forbeck Foundation. Hearing about all of the accomplishments that have happened over the past 30 years is very moving. This small, family Foundation has really found their niche. They have grown to become internationally recognized and are very reputable within the oncology field. The next 30 years of accomplishments will be exciting.
William Guy Forbeck Research Foundation has grown exponentially over the years and it will continue to grow and make a significant impact on cancer research. WGFRF has a unique mission and impact on the oncology field which is desperately needed. The medical participants have said on many occasions that Forbeck meeting are their favorite and they are eager to come back! I have worked with the Foundation to help plan their annual golf outing. Each year the event is successful and enjoyable. Players get to enjoy a truly private course. The Foundation does a great job of making the event fun each year!
Meeting the doctors is interesting. I had the opportunity to learn about what is happening in cancer research now! I also got to ask questions and understand in more depth because of the casual and personable atmosphere the Foundation creates.
Dedicated and passionate people with the resources to make change happen. I fully support this Foundation and what they are doing. Looking forward to watching their success continue.
With WGFRF, I can see the dedication and passion everywhere. The Forbeck Family is very hands on with the Foundation and they are present at every meeting and event. It is a joy to meet the doctors and to learn about their research in a personable manner. I plan to continue to support this Foundation for years to come because I think they are truly making an impact with their mission.
My relationship with the Forbeck Foundation has been indirect but very fulfilling. As a friend of a supporter, I have assisted with event planning and other background duties to assist with the preparation of meetings and events. This part of my support has been very fulfilling because everyone involved with the Foundation is wonderful to be around and dedicated to the mission of the Foundation. It is satisfying being around people who are so happy with their work and their accomplishment. I plan to continue to be involved with the Foundation in the future because I am eager to see what the Foundation can accomplish.
I was first introduced to this wonderful foundation three years ago. I have slowly become more involved and I am constanty amazed by the wonderful people associated with this Foundation and the fantastic work the scientific advisory board executes.
I have recently become involved with the Forbeck Foundation and I can't say enough good things. The family that started the organization is truly amazing. Through dedication and courage they have accomplished a truly unique model for a nonprofit organization.
After attending some of the events, scientific sessions, and organization dinners; I learned that the Doctors and Scientists are also contributors to the Foundation. This is outstanding! The Foundation strives on the hard work from the volunteers to the board members to the doctors. Everyone enjoys being a part of this Foundation because when you are, you know you are in the presence of something great.
I can see the importance of this Foundation and the need for such a model. The small, intimate meetings for doctors and researchers allows them to be more open in discussing their research and I have seen the progress they make as a result of the Forbeck meetings.
This is an organization to watch out for because they have grown and developed as a reputable organization internationally and domestically over the past 30 years. I am excited to see what the next 30 years brings for them!
I knew Billy Guy and have known the Forbeck family my entire life. However, it wasn't until about 12 years ago that I became a supporter of the great work this foundation is doing. I have participated in the "sponsor a scholar" program and thus have been able to attend events where these leaders in the field of cancer research present the audience with the collaborative progress they are making. I do not know of another foundation of this size that has prompted such amazing and continuing results. I am proud to be linked in even a small way to a nonprofit organization that is truly making a difference in the cancer research community. The base idea of the retreats that WGFRF hosts is to bring together doctors, scientist and researchers that would not otherwise meet, to brainstorm and share ideas. It is from this type of joint effort that real progress is being made. It is because of this formula that I believe WGFRF is a leader in what they strive to achieve and it is why I will continue to be a supporter of this foundation.
Potential Volunteers:
I currently volunteer as a Director and the elected Treasurer. I have been involved with the William Guy Forbeck Research Foundation (WGFRF) for approximately 10 years. I started out by volunteering my mixology skills at their Annual Blue Jean Ball event held by the William Guy Forbeck Research Foundation's Scholar Board in the Lake Geneva, WI area. Over the years I have become more involved as my profession has matured. I now volunteer my knowledge and expertise of accounting and financials statements to the Board of Directors. I assist the WGFRF's Chief Administrative Officer and Administrative Assistant with day to day accounting related questions, regulation issues, annual filings and financial analysis. WGFRF is currently in the process of transition our board from advisory board to a more of a working board and we are in need of potential qualified volunteered Board Memeber.
Please reach out to me personally at treasurer@wgfrf.org with any specific questions and I'll respond in a timely manner.
Best Regards,
Matthew M. Gerdes
Director & Treasurer
William Guy Forbeck Research Foundation