Team-Ethan.org is our idea of creating a "Virtual Team" of Family, Friends, and even Strangers to help support young Ethan, and other children suffering from Pediatric Brain Tumors. Ethan was diagnosed with a Brain Tumor on May 4th, 2002, and underwent brain surgery on May 8th. This site provides an on-line community for all of Ethan's Friends, Family, and Supporters to follow his progress and learn how they can help in the fight against Pediatric Brain Tumors.
Brain tumors are the second most common cancer in children, behind leukemia. Unfortunately, brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related death in children, making it the most deadly of all childhood cancers. Federal funding for pediatric brain tumor research and treatment is severely lacking and public awareness is very low.
Since 1992, the Gumabay and Merrill families have been regular participants and contributors to the annual Ride for KidsŪ in Columbia MD. Ride for KidsŪ is a Motorcycle event that started in 1984 to raise money for the research and treatment of Pediatric Brain Tumors. Ride for KidsŪ raises money for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF), a non-profit 501(c)(3) foundation. Each year, there are approximately 29 Ride for KidsŪ events around the country raising money for PBTF. Is is exactly these types of donations that have permitted the advances to have been made over the last several years that has kept many children with Brain Tumors alive. PBTF is the second largest funding organization for pediatric brain tumor research and treatment, second only to the federal government. Team-Ethan.org is our way to rally all of Ethan's supporters into joining our cause and raising as much money as possible for the PBTF and specifically, the Ride for KidsŪ event in Columbia MD. We are thrilled to announce that through all of your support, Team Ethan contributed over $41,000 to the Columbia Ride for KidsŪ since his diagnosis! Many thanks to all of our donors!
Click Here to see a Slide Show of photos taken at the 2001 Ride for KidsŪ, just 6 days after the Terrorist attacks on the United States. (Requires MS PowerPoint - takes a minute to load)