Category Archives: Brooks-Davis IBCA

13May/16

BD-IBCA is Celebrating 2 Years of Making An Impact!

Brooks-Davis IBCA

Dear BD-IBCA Partner:

May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month!  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 your generous donation and/or prayers have made an impact in the lives of those affected by brain cancer.

Below is a list of our goals and the progress we have made as of May 2, 2016.

Goal #1: Raise brain cancer awareness

  • Established a website: https://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 https://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.

Goal #2: Contribute to underrepresented areas 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 is nearing the end of the Institutional Review Board process at UAB.
  • UAB and UMMC have developed a plan for shared publishing rights and data sharing.
  • We anticipate the launch of the clinical trials at UMMC and UAB to begin by August 1, 2016.
  • Donated more than $2,000 to the American Brain Tumor Association for the advancement of brain cancer research.

Goal #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.

In addition to the aforementioned accomplishments, your generosity enabled us to prepare dinner during Brain Cancer Awareness Month on May 19, 2015 and May 2, 2016 for 30-40 patients and caregivers at the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge in Baltimore, Maryland.

It is amazing what we have been able to accomplish together in a short period of time.  Although we were able to address most of our goals, there is more work to be done.  We hope that you will continue to partner with us to make an impact in the lives of those affected by brain cancer.

Upcoming Events 2016 – 2017:

  • Continue to donate funds to the research study at UMMC, on-going
  • Host a gospel benefit concert
  • Host a Celebrate Life Party for couples affected by cancer
  • Donate teddy bears to UM Children’s Hospital, December 2016
  • Provide live music to patients awaiting radiation and treatment at UMMC during the holiday season, November – December 2016

As you can see, big plans are in store for 2016.  To that end, we are asking that you continue to partner with us by making a donation, joining us for an upcoming event, helping us secure additional donors, spreading the word to others about the Brooks–Davis IBCA and the important work we are doing, and praying 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 https://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 continued partnership.  Personally, I thank you for keeping the legacy and dreams of my beloved Teddy “The Bear” Davis alive.

Best,

D. Fredrica Brooks – Davis, M.A., M.A., Psy.D

Co-Founder, Executive Director