One of the things I love most about Golden Light Adventures is the freedom and ability it provides me to donate 10% of profits to Childhood Cancer research. I am SO EXCITED to say that from 2023 to 2024, the donation from Golden Light Adventures increased by 254%!!! And that’s because of YOU! To the families who continually trust me with their vacation memories… from the bottom of my heart, thank you. This truly wouldn’t have happened without you.
Every September, GLA (Golden Light Adventures) donates money to a childhood cancer foundation focused on furthering research.
I am absolutely THRILLED to announce this year's donation foundation, The Brooklyn Project Foundation! This is a local-to-Arkansas foundation with 100% of its money going towards the Innovative Therapies Program at Arkansas Children's Hospital Hematology/Oncology Department. They have given $538,000 to the program, with another significant donation coming at the end of December. The foundation also started the Asher Brooklyn Ray of Hope Endowment Fund, which will ensure that childhood cancer research will continue at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, forever.
Why did I choose this foundation?
This foundation is very close to my heart. Because of The Brooklyn Project Foundation, Gus was able to have specific therapies at home during his battle against cancer. At the end of Gus’ life, we enrolled Gus in a brand new trial (Gus was patient one at ACH). Normally, we would have had to travel for Gus to receive the trial medication, but because of The Brooklyn Project Foundation, we were able to stay home, ensuring Gus’ quality of life.
Gus also was able to participate in a trial through Arkansas Children’s Hospital when he first relapsed in early 2021. Again, this trial allowed Gus to stay home (when he was feeling amazing) and make memories at his ‘home home’.
We made so many memories at home because of The Brooklyn Project Foundation, and I’ll forever be thankful.
They recently held the Fifth Annual Brooklyn Project Foundation Golf, Baggo, and Tennis Tournament in Stuggart and raised a record-breaking $55,000!
Doctors and nurses from the hematology/oncology department at Arkansas Children's Hospital were in attendance at the event and here is what they had to say:
(The below excerpt is taken from Stuggart Daily Leader)
“Pediatric oncologist Dr. Kevin Bielamowicz spoke during the first night of the tournament. He is the director of the Innovative Therapeutics Department and shared its importance.
“It is a group of physicians, nurses, and support staff who help design and run early-phase clinical trials for children with cancer. They are usually for kids who do not have curative options for their cancer. Either they have difficult-to-cure cancer, or their cancer has come back after traditional therapy,” Dr. Bielamowicz said. “Our goals are to help kids get some of these treatments closer to home and to help advance the field of pediatric oncology by helping find more cures for kids.”
The Brooklyn Project Foundation has donated $538,000 to the Innovative Therapeutics Department with no plans of slowing down. Dr. Bielamowicz said that funding has been crucial.
“There have been times over the past five or six years when funding was tight. This money was very integral in keeping this program moving,” Dr. Bielamowicz said.”
If you’re interested in donating or participating in upcoming events hosted by The Brooklyn Project Foundation, visit their website HERE.
With tears in my eyes, I say ‘thank you’ to all the families who have trusted me as their travel agent. I love supporting childhood cancer research in honor of Gus and being your travel bestie.
Memories are precious and something that can’t be taken away from us.
Comments