SECOND ANNUAL NATHAN’S ARMY 5K
*SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION*
The N8 Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is seeking sponsors for the Second
Annual NATHAN’S ARMY 5K to be held on October 3, 2015 at the Rio Bravo
Ranch in Bakersfield. One hundred percent of the proceeds generated from the event
will go to The N8 Foundation, a non-profit public benefit charity organization created
in Nathan’s memory to help fund research on DIPGs and to assist local families with
children who are currently battling the disease.
THE CAUSE:
Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPGs) are a type of highly aggressive brain
tumor found in the pons which is located in the brainstem. The pons controls many of
the body’s most vital functions, including breathing, blood pressure and heart rate.
Because of this delicate location and the way in which the tumor grows (intrinsically with the bad cells intertwined with the good), DIPGs are very difficult tumors to treat.
At this time, radiation therapy is the only effective treatment against DIPGs.
However, its effects are almost always temporary, lasting only a few months in most
cases. Surgery is not an option for this type of tumor because it can cause severe
neurological damage and affect the body’s most vital functions. Experimental
chemotherapy is also typically tried in combination with the radiation therapy;
however, so far, no chemotherapy drugs have proven effective or shown to increase
survival rates. Unfortunately, the prognosis for DIPG remains very poor with a
median survival time of just 9 to 12 months following diagnosis - with treatment.
Because of all of this, DIPGs have been referred to as “the worst of the worst of
pediatric brain tumors.” (Dr. Amy-Lee Bredlau, Pediatric Neuro-Oncologist and
Director of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Program at MUSC Children’s Hospital; For
other facts and statistics on DIPGs, visit: www.danafarberbostonchildrens.org).
Part of the difficulty in treating DIPGs is that, until recently, very little has been
known about the molecular and genetic make-up of these tumors. This was mainly
due to the fact that it was previously (thought to be) unsafe to biopsy DIPGs because
of their location within the brainstem. However, recent advancements in medical and
surgical technology have now made this possible and the results from the biopsies are
revealing new details about DIPGs that were previously unknown. These new
discoveries have spurred research across the globe with the goal of turning them into
effective treatment options in the near future.
NATHAN’S STORY AND THE CREATION OF THE N8 FOUNDATION:
Nathan Street (or N8, as he liked to shorten it) was diagnosed with a DIPG in
January 2014 at age 7. He put up a long and hard fought battle against the disease for
13 months, undergoing a biopsy, two rounds of radiation therapy and four separate
experimental chemotherapy trials. However, sadly, despite all efforts, he passed away
from the disease on February 17, 2015 at age 8. Nathan was a kind-hearted, funny
and gentle kid whose life was ultimately cut far too short by DIPG.
During Nathan’s final days, his family made the tremendously difficult
decision to donate his tumor tissue to research to continue on with his fight for a cure.
Following Nathan’s passing, his tumor tissue was donated to the Monje (DIPG) Lab at
Stanford University. What Dr. Michelle Monje and her team have done since then is
nothing short of amazing. Within just a few months, they have accomplished what
few researchers across the world have ever been able to do:
- They have established live cells lines from Nathan’s tumor tissue which
are crucial for research (1 of only 16 DIPG cell lines in the world!);
- To-date, they have generated over 100-200 million cells from Nathan’s
tumor; again, all to be used for research; and,
- Recognizing that collaboration among researchers is key, they have
shipped Nathan’s cell lines to research facilities all over the world,
including the U.S., Europe and Australia.
The N8 Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation was created by Nathan’s family and
friends after his passing in his honor and memory. In addition to helping local
families of children currently battling the disease, the N8 Foundation will continue to
work with the Monje DIPG Lab (and all others focused on DIPG research) to carry
out what will one day be Nathan’s legacy – finding a cure for this horrible disease
called DIPG.
SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION:
The N8 Foundation is a non-profit public benefit charity organization allowing
donations and sponsorships to be tax deductible: Tax ID number: 47-34643571.
All donors and sponsors will be recognized on our Facebook page and on race
day. Gold and Silver sponsors will be displayed on a large banner at the race.
Gold (company name and logo): $1,500+
*Includes 6 Registrations
Silver (company name):
$1,000+
*Includes 4 Registrations
Bronze:
$500+
*Includes 2 Registrations
In order for us to process the included registrations, please contact Nick Street
at donatetonatethegreat@gmail.com or by phone at 661-205-8442. Gold sponsors
will need to email a copy of the company name and logo to be incorporated on the
sponsorship banner.
Please make checks payable to:
THE N8 FOUNDATION
Mail checks to:
THE N8 FOUNDATION
P.O. BOX 6463
Bakersfield, CA 93386
We greatly appreciate your time and consideration.
Tracy Street
1
Nick Street
501(c)(3) application pending approval with IRS; however, all donations received after the date of formation
(March 9, 2015) will be tax deductible (http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Charitable-Organizations).