PBTF accepts $50,000 memorial research grant from Kyrie Foundation

The Kyrie Foundation, named for the late Kyrie Thome, has donated $50,000 to the PBTF.

Kyrie Thome was only 17 months old when she was diagnosed with a primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), a rare and malignant form of brain cancer. Despite several surgeries and chemotherapy, the Wichita, Kan., toddler died within nine weeks.

Kyrie’s family was devastated, but they did not give up hope that other children could have better outcomes. Megan Thome and Chad Eickholt formed The Kyrie Foundation shortly after their niece’s death in 2007. They contacted the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation® (PBTF) for advice early on, and were advised that research into childhood brain tumors was seriously underfunded. With this in mind, they set an ambitious goal: to raise $50,000 in Kyrie’s memory.

Last month, Thome and Eickholt presented the PBTF with a check for $50,000, raised one dollar at a time through scrapbooking parties, a silent auction, and a fun run/walk.

Eickholt said that his organization is determined to do even more. “We are excited and honored to partner with the PBTF by enabling them to do their work faster,” the president of The Kyrie Foundation said. “As evidenced by all of the people who have donated to our cause who are the catalysts behind this research grant, small steps can truly lead to big actions. Together, we have taken a big step towards seeing a cure for pediatric brain cancer.”

The grant will support crucial studies at the PBTF’s three research institutes. “Children like Kyrie have always been the driving force behind the work of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation,” said PBTF President Dianne Traynor. “We thank The Kyrie Foundation for this opportunity to work together to fund research to find a cure for childhood brain tumors.”

Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation®
302 Ridgefield Ct.
Asheville, NC 28806

828-665-6891
800-253-6530
828-665-6894 (fax)
e-mail: info@pbtfus.org
website: www.pbtfus.org

All materials of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation® and Ride for Kids® contained herein or elsewhere are copyrighted ©.