Announcing the Creation of
With your help, the Tim & Tom Gullikson Foundation (TTGF) has touched the lives of brain tumor patients and their families for over 13 years. The Tim & Tom Gullikson Foundation Board has determined that, in these challenging financial times, there will be greater opportunities to support brain tumor patients by dissolving the Tim & Tom Gullikson Foundation and carrying on Tim Gullikson's vision of enhancing the lives of brain tumor patients through the Tim & Tom Gullikson Family Support Fund at the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. The Gullikson family invites you to join them and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation in continuing this important work! The Tim & Tom Gullikson Foundation was inspired in 1995 when Tim Gullikson, a former ATP Tennis champion and coach of such notable players as Martina Navratilova and Pete Sampras, was diagnosed with brain tumors. As a world-class tennis competitor and coach, Tim was convinced that the lessons he learned on and off the court would be helpful in enhancing the quality of life for brain tumor patients and their families. On that hopeful premise, Tim and his twin brother Tom, and Tim's wife, Rosemary, formed the Tim & Tom Gullikson Foundation. Tim lost his battle to brain tumors in 1996, but his vision for the TTGF flourished with tremendous support from concerned individuals, business leaders and the tennis community-people like you! A Hall of Fame collection of the world's top-ranked tennis players, including Rod Laver, Stan Smith, Stefan Edberg, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Todd Martin, James Blake, Mardy Fish, Bob and Mike Bryan, Chris Evert, Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Corina Morariu and Martina Hingis, along with other world-class athletes, have rallied over the years to help the TTGF raise over $5 million to advocate for patients and caregivers. "Tim would be thrilled to know of the role the TTGF has played in establishing a brain tumor family support center at Duke University Medical Center, funding the work of neuro-oncology nurses and social workers who provide support to brain tumor patients and caregivers, and supporting the education of brain tumor survivors and students whose lives have been touched by brain-tumors through our college scholarship program," notes Tom Gullikson, Chairman of the TTGF. The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF), a 501(c)(3) organization based in Asheville, N.C., has been on a parallel mission to provide family support through college scholarships. The PBTF created its college scholarship program in 2002 to provide financial assistance to brain tumor survivors, and has awarded 397 scholarships to date. Additional PBTF family support programs include:
The PBTF was founded by Mike and Dianne Traynor, who first began raising funds for childhood brain tumor research in 1984 with the Ride for Kids program. They incorporated the PBTF in 1991. With the help of a dedicated professional staff and an exceptional network of fundraisers and volunteers nationwide, the PBTF has raised more than $50 million to become the world's largest source of funding for childhood brain tumor research. More than 50 research institutions worldwide have benefited from PBTF funding, including the PBTF Institute programs at Duke University, the University of California San Francisco and the Hospital for Sick Children in Canada. "The PBTF is dedicated to eradicating the disease and to providing educational and emotional support for children and families affected by brain tumors, and has done so with great success during the past 25 years," explains Rosemary Gullikson, President of the TTGF. Adds Mike Traynor, Co-Founder and President of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, "We are honored to have the opportunity to continue the legacy of Tim and Tom Gullikson and their families, supporters, and donors through the creation of the Tim & Tom Gullikson Family Support Fund at the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Through this effort we look forward to expanding the Gulliksons' vision to bring hope to brain tumor patients and the means to advance their education." The Tim & Tom Gullikson Foundation plans to grant its remaining financial assets to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation within the next several weeks. These funds will establish the Tim & Tom Gullikson Family Support Fund at the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation in support of its college scholarship program. Tom Gullikson adds, "The establishment of the Tim & Tom Gullikson Family Support Fund at the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation provides a means for those committed to fulfilling Tim's vision to continue their support. I invite all of you to join with me and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation in supporting kids with brain tumors and in the fight to cure brain tumors." For more information about the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and the exciting plans for the Tim & Tom Gullikson Family Support Fund, please visit www.pbtfus.org or call 800-253-6530. Please go to our College Scholarship Program page to learn more about the program details. Media contact:
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2006 College Scholarship Recipient
NAME: Elizabeth Marciano
"When I was 10-years-old, I was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. I underwent surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, all which were successful treatments to remove my tumor. Just as [the people I met while ill] helped my family and me get through tough times, I want to help others facing hard times as well. I love working with children and I hope to instill in my students the important values of thinking of others first and helping those in need." |
