Greetings:

On behalf of the Board of Directors for the Brooks – Davis Institute for Brain Cancer Awareness (IBCA) I am pleased to share with you the foundation celebrated its 2nd Anniversary on Sunday, January 24, 2016. In the spirit of celebration and accountability we would like for you to know how we have used the generous donations received thus far to make an impact in the lives of those affected by brain cancer.

Listed below are the foundation’s goals and the progress we have made with each of them as of December 19, 2016.

Goal #1: Raise brain cancer awareness

  • Established a website – www.brooks-davis.org.
  • Created a promotional video for the Foundation, which includes interviews by leading physicians and researchers from the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). (Video may be viewed at www.brooks-davis.org)
  • Participated in a community fair and two 5k races (2014 – New York; 2015 – Washington, DC).
  • Launched an online store selling t-shirts and apparel with supportive messages for persons affected by cancer.
  • Prepared dinner for 40 residents including patients and family members at the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge in Baltimore, Maryland on May 19, 2015 and May 2, 2016. Once dinner was served information about brain cancer and the Brooks-Davis IBCA was shared with the residents and caregivers.

Goal #2: Contribute to underrepresented areas of brain cancer research.

  • Donated more than $2,000 to the American Brain Tumor Association for the advancement of brain cancer research.
  • Donated more than $7,000 to the Radiation Oncology Clinical Research Fund 26507 for the Dr. Drexell Boggs study supported by the Brooks-Davis IBCA.  One goal of this study is to discover the impact Glyburide, a diabetes medication, may have in reducing cerebral edema (swelling of the brain), which is a common side effect of brain cancer treatment.  During Teddy’s treatment we were able to see a glimpse of the possibilities Glyburide could have and the need for additional research.  To that end the monies we have raised and will continue to raise in this area will help advance this important work.

The accomplishments to date are as follows:

  • The Institutional Review Board at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) has approved the glyburide protocol.
  • Dr. Drexell Boggs, now at the University of Alabama, has been granted permission to run a clinical trial at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB), which means the trial, will run concurrently at UAB and UMMC.
  • The glyburide protocol has successfully completed the Institutional Review Board process at UAB (December 2016).
  • UAB and UMMC are working collaboratively to develop a plan for shared publishing rights and data sharing.
  • We anticipate the launch of the clinical trials at UMMC and UAB by Spring 2017.

Donate #3: Donate teddy bears to children at UMMC receiving treatment on their birthday and/or during the Christmas season.

  • On Friday, December 18, 2015 the Brooks-Davis IBCA donated 35 teddy bears to the University of Maryland’s Children Hospital.

It is amazing what we have been able to accomplish with the support of our donors in a short period of time.  Although we were able to address most of our goals, there is more work to be done.  To that end we are asking that you consider partnering with us by making a donation, join us for an upcoming event, help us secure additional donors, spread the word to others about the Brooks – Davis IBCA and the important work we are doing and pray for the patients and families affected by brain cancer.  I do not know if a cure or alternative treatments to extend life will be discovered during our lifetime; nevertheless, I am glad we are doing all we can to ensure future generations will not have to experience this deadly disease and/or limited treatment options.

If you are active on social media or the Internet I invite you to like our Facebook page Brooks – Davis Institute for Brain Cancer Awareness and visit www.brooks-davis.org to receive the most up-to-date information.

On behalf of the Board of Directors I would like to thank you for helping the Brooks-Davis Institute for Brain Cancer Awareness.  Together we can make an impact in the lives of those affected by brain cancer and we welcome your partnership.  Personally, I thank you for keeping the legacy and dreams of my beloved Teddy “The Bear” Davis alive.

Best,

Dr. D. Fredrica Brooks – Davis

Co-Founder and Executive Director

Brooks-Davis Institute for Brain Cancer Awareness