December 2025
Year End Newsletter
Let's flip the script on brain cancer!
Hello StacheStrong Fam!
Every year as I sit down to transcribe all that has occurred in 12 months, I’m left in complete awe of this inspiring community.
I find myself typing today in NYC’s Financial District, which he called home for most of his adult life. I don’t come down here often because it’s a road that should lead to GJ, but I’m continuing to break down grief barriers, even 6+ years since his passing. While we should be celebrating the holidays and heading home together soon, I can’t help but think about how big that smile would be if we could enjoy a cold one and draft this newsletter together recapping how his fight has supported thousands of families and $6M+ of brain cancer research...
It's amazing to see the continual growth of our organization as we aim to flip the script on this disease, which is only possible because of YOUR support. GJ would be proud! 2025 was another record year for StacheStrong and our Board of Directors is energized to make 2026 our best yet, but we can't do this alone and encourage you to donate or get involved to help further drive our mission forward!!!
View our NEW three episode docuseries released earlier this year in partnership with Stryker
No matter what stage of the brain cancer diagnosis you are at, you will feel connected to these families knowing what they’re facing. We are truly stronger, TOGETHER, and there is strength in every story.
In this newsletter:
- Research Funded
- Community Driven Highlights
- Brain Tumor Awareness Month
- Events
- Corporate Matching
- Medical Advisory Board
- StacheStrong Store
- Thank You!
Research Funded
$925,000
What matters most is where and how your donations advance brain cancer research. Donations helped fund $925,000 in grants in 2025 to the following highly rated and promising areas.
UMiami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Dr. ShahExploring the interface between anti-viral approaches and the glioblastoma tumor microenvironment and has developed multiple shots on goal to achieve new treatments to glioblastoma patients who deserve better options.
Dr. ChakrabatiAddress a major unmet medical need in triple negative breast cancer that metastasizes to the brain. This work will provide insight to how to flip the switch for glioblastoma patients from a tumor microenvironment that is highly immunosuppressed, to one that will allow the patients immune system to attack and kill the glioblastoma tumor.
In partnership with the V Foundation
USC
Dr. ModrekDecoding Glioblastoma treatment escape mechanisms: integrative single-cell and single-molecule approaches. Their research shows that DNA damage leaves non-genetic changes in cancer cells’ blueprints, such as DNA methylation and changes in gene expression. They believe these non-genetic changes help cancer cells behave more aggressively and resist treatment. By understanding how these alterations occur, they aim to develop therapies that prevent cancer cells from adapting to treatment.
In partnership with the V Foundation
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Dr. KilianTwo-year fellowship focused on harnessing meningeal immune cell priming as a harbor for brain tumor immunity.This project aims at identifying anti-tumor immunity-promoting or inhibiting cell-cell interactions in recently identified immune cell clusters in the dura using a novel technology called RABID-Seq a barcoding method that allows to study cell communication in vivo, spatial sequencing technologies to study cells in a spatial context as well as functional studies and human GBM tissue.
In partnership with ABTA
Virginia Commonwealth University
Dr. Loughan and Dr. BraunQuality of life grant focused on studying the effects of a newly developed intervention, FearLess in Neuro-Oncology, aimed at reducing fear of recurrence or progression in patients with brain tumors and their caregivers and loved ones.
In partnership with NBTS
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Dr. MinnsQuality of life grant focused on supporting caregivers of people with brain tumors by providing resources and adapting the broad PATH© (Preparedness Assessment for the Transition Home) tool specifically for caring for patients with high-grade brain tumors.
In partnership with NBTS
Johns Hopkins University
Dr. GartrellFlash, a novel radiation strategy to decrease radiation induced brain injury. Study proposes to investigate how FLASH radiation therapy influences brain function and tumor control in AT/RT, aiming to shed light on a potential treatment approach for these challenging tumors while also preventing serious brain toxicity.
In partnership with ABTA
University of Michigan
Dr. PrensnerInduction of the dark proteome for the treatment of childhood glioma. Employ patient-derived models of DMG/DIPG to define the dark proteome associated with cancer gene mutations in children. In addition, identify how radiation treatment creates new opportunities for therapies based on the dark proteome.
In partnership with ABTA
University of San Diego
Update on a past fellowship grant funded by StacheStrong
Our 2-year grant funded Dr. Vadla’s research at UCSD and his findings led him to receive a highly touted $5M NIH grant to scale his research. Congrats to Dr. Vadla - this is why launching promising research is so vital.
These are tangible results to remind you why every dollar matters. It's why your support is crucial.
We can't promise what tomorrow holds, but we can promise that StacheStrong will continue to push the envelope and fund cutting edge research in the hope of a world without brain cancer!
Community Driven Highlights
$100K Anonymous Pledge to Match for National GBM Awareness Day
We’re still in awe that a family believed in our mission enough to choose StacheStrong to be the beneficiary of a $100,000 anonymous matching gift on GBM day. This incredibly generous gift resulted in a total of $226,869 being raised in July to meet the moment and unlock the entire match amount
Inaugural Mike Burchett Memorial Golf Scramble
Over $21,000 was raised in Lincoln, Nebraska in memory of Mike. Thanks to Liberty First Credit Union, Angela, the Burchett family and friends, as well as the surrounding community for rallying around this movement to honor an incredible man. We have several community led events every year and invite you to start your own in honor/memory of your loved one. Click the ‘Fundraise Your Way’ link below to get going!
ScreenVision Media
Led by the news of two people close to Andrew being diagnosed with brain cancer, he realized he had the ability to do more within his day to day. He led a major probono initiative that just went live on December 8th where a StacheStrong commercial will play across the country in movie theaters before feature titles such as Wicked, Spongebob, Avatar, Marty Supreme, and so many more. With an estimated audience of 3M viewers through February, this is a major awareness win and we invite you to think of something within your line of work to help further spread our mission.
Marathons EVERYWHERE
We had 48 runners participate in marathons with StacheStrong this year, resulting in $300,000+ raised for brain cancer research!
We’re now in Berlin, Boston, Chicago, Copenhagen, Dublin, New York City, Paris, Rome, and Sydney, as well as any marathon you’re already running. Let’s put meaning behind those miles! Apply now to be considered for our 2026 Marathon teams.
#BrewStacheStrong
The #BrewStacheStrong collaboration is bringing together communities across the country in support of a disease that impacts far too many people. Just like every 'Stache tells a story, every beer tells a story. It’s as simple as a brewery committing a batch size to benefit brain cancer research and we have now partnered with over 400 breweries. We've already started our outreach for the 2026 campaign, so if you would like to help or have a friend/contact in the beer/restaurant world, let us know.
Brain Tumor Awareness Month
Over the years we’ve shared the stories of others who have faced a brain cancer diagnosis during Brain Tumor Awareness Month (#BTAM) every day throughout May.
Click below to submit your story for consideration to be posted on our social media and share this with others who may be interested in contributing to this powerful month of awareness. We also encourage you to fundraise your way during the month to raise additional funds.
StacheStrong Invitational
We are now accepting sponsorships and registrations for our 4th annual golf tournament on Monday, May 4, 2026 in Jupiter, Florida.
We have several sponsorship options available and foursomes are limited, so get involved today! If able to donate any items or experiences for the silent auction, please email us as we aim to raise $300,000 again at this year's event. Special thanks to Evo Italian for continuing as a major sponsor and hosting the party the night before the tournament for a fourth straight year.
9th Annual 5K Run/Walk
Thank you for making this year’s 5K run/walk the biggest yet with over $230,000 raised by 1,500+ supporters!
It’s never too early to register as an individual or create/join a team for our 9th Annual StacheStrong 5K Run/Walk. You can either complete the VIRTUAL run in your respective city and state at ANY TIME during the week of September 19th, or else attend the IN PERSON race in our hometown of Vestal, NY at the Vestal High School at 3:00pm on Saturday, September 19th. Email us if interested in becoming a sponsor.
9th Annual Fundraiser in NYC
Thank you for making this year’s NYC fundraiser incredible with over $100,000 raised by 200+ in person supporters!
We ask you to SAVE THE DATE for our annual NYC fundraiser on Friday, October 16th, 2026 at 7:00pm at Legend’s (6 W 33rd St, New York, NY)
Contact us if you have any friends/contacts who can help support through sponsorships, donated baskets and event registrations or want to serve on our event committee.
Corporate Matching
Did you know that you can DOUBLE the amount you've raised/donated to StacheStrong just by leveraging your employer's donation program?
SO many of our supporters take advantage of this wonderful opportunity and it results in amplifying the impact of each individual donation/event registration. Reach out to your company to do so for StacheStrong and if your company doesn't match yet, use this as an opportunity to get them involved and support StacheStrong.
Let's work together to connect major dollars to brain cancer research!
Medical Advisory Board
Our Medical Advisory Board reviews grant proposals to ensure we’re funding strong science. We’re grateful to have these leaders believe in StacheStrong and serve on our board.
Chris Cifarelli
MD, West Virginia University
Randy D'Amico
Northwell Health
Jan Drappatz
Jan Drappatz
Dolores Hambardzumyan
PhD, Mount Sinai
Kimberly Hoang
MD, Emory University
Adilia Hormigo
MD, PhD, Einstein Medical Center
Michael Ivan
MD, University of Miami
Gary Kohanbash
PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Dimitris Placantonakis
MD, PhD, NYU
Praveen Raju
MD, PhD, UC San Diego
Nader Sanai
MD, Ivy Brain Tumor Center
Soma Sengupta
MD, University of North Carolina
Kirk Tanner
PhD, SVP Clinical Development, Autem Therapeutics; former Chief Scientific Officer, NBTS
StacheStrong Swag Shop
We have hundreds of items available and all proceeds support our mission.
Port Authority Embroidered Ladies Cozy Fleece Hoodie
$49.83
Comfort Colors Heavyweight Ring Spun Tank Top
$22.18
Port Authority Rib Knit Slouch Beanie with Patch
$26.13
Thank You To Our Supporters
We truly can't thank everyone enough for their support and generosity over the past NEARLY EIGHT YEARS!!! Playing a role in funding over $6,000,000 of brain cancer research is truly amazing and we can't put into words the profound impact that each of you have had in our fight against GBM. It means the world to us, but more importantly, to all those hoping for a cure. We can't do this alone, so if you're looking for a way to get involved, volunteer, and help drive our mission forward - reach out today!