Ryan Brown: Cocktails for a Cure – Supporting Children like Julianna

Ryan Brown, Vice President at Goldman Sachs and Board Member at St. Baldrick’s Foundation, shared on LinkedIn:

“Excited to announce the formal launch of Cocktails for a Cure, an intimate and inspirational evening dedicated to supporting Children’s Cancer Research. Please consider joining us in Los Angeles on April 17, 2024, where we are well on our way to hitting our goal of raising $100K for Children’s Cancer Research:

http://bit.ly/cfac24

I also invite you to read Julianna’s story below, who serves as a daily inspiration to me and is a 2024 St. Baldrick’s Foundation Ambassador.

Lastly, a huge thank you to the committee members instrumental in making this evening possible: Michelle Foster Brown, McCall James, Anthony Lazzaro, Jason Heffler, Daniele Perito, Colbi C., Douglas Sanders.”

Cocktails for a Cure – Supporting Children like Julianna

I’m often asked why I choose to volunteer my time outside of my already demanding schedule with a full-time “day job” as well as a second “night job” (parent of two young children) to give back to children with cancer. The answer is simple:

1. it’s the right thing to do
2. children are the most vulnerable members of our society and
3. children’s cancer research findings/cures are scalable and can be leveraged for the greater good of all children around the world.

I’m also constantly inspired by the fortitude, courage, and grace of individuals like Julianna. Courtesy of St. Baldrick’s Foundation and Julianna’s family, let me share a little more about Julianna’s story:

“Julianna (a.k.a. Juju) is always on the go. This 5-year-old is obsessed with Jack Sparrow, loves swimming, bike riding, dancing, baby dolls, dressing up, playing doctor, school, and worship music. She expends her energy at dance and cheer camp and is excited to start gymnastics soon.

Her determined spirit has propelled Juju through the last two years. The week of Christmas 2021, Juju started to lose her appetite and complained of stomach pain. Several doctor visits and tests followed. On January 14, 2022, she was diagnosed with stage L2 neuroblastoma, meaning the tumor had not spread far from its initial location. Treatment started immediately.

Fortunately, the chemotherapy reduced her tumor by more than 96%.

Fast forward to January 13, 2023, her parents received news that Juju had relapsed. This time, it was stage 3. More chemotherapy followed, along with a 12-hour surgery to resect her tumor, 14 fractions of radiation, and a stem cell harvest. It’s been a long road, but she had her port removed last November. However, scans last December showed an unknown spot on her chest. Due to its location, Juju’s doctors feel a biopsy is too risky. She will have another round of scans in five weeks to assess next steps.

When asked what she wants to be when she grows up, her answer is simple. “I just wanna be a kid.”

Not only is this what all kids with cancer deserve, it’s the driving force behind why I’ve personally set a goal to raise $100,000 for children’s cancer research by April 17, 2024.

If you would like to join the battle against children’s cancer, please consider making a donation or by joining us for Cocktails for a Cure on April 17th, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA, where all ticket proceeds will go to St. Baldrick’s Foundation to support children’s cancer research.

With gratitude,
Ryan Brown | St. Baldrick’s Foundation Board Member

Source: Ryan Brown / LikedIn