GLENN GARCELON FOUNDATION
Empowering and Supporting Brain Tumor Patients
The Glenn Garcelon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which exists to improve the quality of life of brain tumor survivors, caregivers and their families by providing emotional and financial support.
Please take a few minutes to view this wonderful video featuring a few of our grant recipients.
OUR STORY
Since 2012, the Glenn Garcelon Foundation has issued 281 grants to assist brain tumor patients in need across 45 states. Grants have been used to cover the cost of mortgage payments, rent, insurance, co-pays, deductibles, groceries, utilities, specialized equipment, treatment related travel and lodging expenses, and more --all things that most of us take for granted every day. Life with a brain tumor carries with it more than just physical challenges. Our goal is to ease some of the financial burden that so often adds to the already overwhelming stress of a diagnosis and treatment.
The need for assistance, as measured by the number of grant applications received, is rising dramatically each year. We can only do what we do with your support. We are a volunteer organization. Nobody draws a salary. As a result, all funds raised above nominal administrative expenses and the costs of our events go directly to brain tumor patients in need. Please consider making a donation of whatever size works for you to help us continue to honor our mission in serving this important population.
The Glenn Garcelon Foundation and its mission to improve the quality of life of brain tumor survivors, caregivers and their families by providing emotional and financial support, was inspired by the life of Glenn Garcelon. A beloved husband, father, granddad, son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, boss, coworker, mentor, and friend, Glenn died peacefully in his sleep on April 5, 2008 after a 3.5 year battle with Glioblastoma Multiforme brain cancer. He died knowing that he was greatly loved by all who were fortunate enough to have known him. Glenn had an incredibly quick wit and dry sense of humor. His smile lit up the darkest of rooms, as he radiated a happiness and vibrancy that spread to all around him.
Glenn dedicated his life to helping others. He worked for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for thirty years, aiding victims of natural disasters. He also volunteered his time reading books on tape for the blind, implementing a student/mentor reading program at a local elementary school and volunteering in a crisis call center and a hospital. He regularly donated both blood and plasma, and supported a multitude of humanitarian causes. His life of making the world a better place by helping those in need inspired his wife, Gail and his daughters, Nicole and Danielle, to carry on his legacy. In June of 2011, the non-profit Glenn Garcelon Foundation became a reality with the express purpose of providing support and financial assistance to those who were affected with the day to day challenges of living with a brain tumor.
OUR LOGO
Without knowing it, Glenn taught others the value of “paying it forward.” At his memorial services in Oregon and Texas, several people spoke about how Glenn “grew people” - how he guided them and empowered them. How he helped them realize their true potential and encouraged them to exceed their own expectations.
On Glenn’s 62nd birthday, 6 weeks after his death, two trees were dedicated in his memory at his former office in Denton, Texas. A redbud tree was planted as a tribute to Glenn’s caring and fun-loving spirit, and a red oak was planted to signify his strength and leadership abilities. These trees are a constant reminder of a man who lived his life in such a way that other lives have been forever changed. As a dear friend said, “We will spend the rest of our lives processing the lessons of humanity he taught us through his words and deeds.”
When searching for a logo to represent the Foundation that was created in memory of this great man, we decided upon the image of an oak tree with “branches” made up of people with outstretched arms. This tree signifies the commitment of the Glenn Garcelon Foundation to pay it forward by reaching out to help brain tumor patients and their families.
"A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees."
~ Amelia Earhart
Vision
To be fierce in our pursuit to support brain tumor patients and families in physical, emotional, and financial need.
Mission
To empower and support brain tumor patients and their families by awarding grants to help with expenses that are beyond their means. Our goal is to ease some of the financial burden that often adds to the stress of a brain tumor diagnosis and treatment. This allows patients and their caregivers to focus, with less distraction, on treatment and quality time with loved ones.
Values
Empowerment ~ Empathy ~ Integrity ~ Compassion ~ Commitment
Thank You to our Circle of Hope Supporters
Dorothy Scott
Craig and Nicole Smith
Carol Solesbee
Trent and Jeannie Tice
Anonymous
Emily Boscacci-Franch
Rod and Cathleen Brackeen
Jerilyn Brusseau
Glen and Heather Clemans
Debbie Cuvelier
Ellen Epstein
Roger and Yolande Free
Chip Fucik
Gail Garcelon
Jason and Danielle Hess
Joseph Hiller
Bob and Judy Johannesen
Jennifer Kamber
Nyla Kennard
Jessica Maielli
Jack and Nancy McGraw
Angela Scott
Dorothy Scott
Maureen Short
Christopher Smith
Craig and Nicole Smith
Carol Solesbee
Trent and Jeannie Tice
Robert and Barbara Volland
Beth Wade
Are you looking for a way to help the Glenn Garcelon Foundation further its mission? Please consider joining our very special community of recurring donors providing ongoing support to our grant program. You can easily give tax deductible weekly, monthly or quarterly donations with your credit card or through automatic checking account withdrawal. And, you have the flexibility to change or suspend your donation at any time.
Your participation in Circle of Hope will allow the Foundation to provide consistent, reliable funding to brain tumor patients.
Click here to make a commitment to our mission by signing up for Circle of Hope. Thank you.
MEET GRANT RECIPIENT
MICHELLE
Michelle was a television producer in Atlanta and her husband was an attorney. They were raising two children and life was good. Then in 2015, Michelle began experiencing headaches and cognitive issues. An MRI revealed a Meningioma brain tumor. While she was recovering from surgery, her husband walked out on the family.
Michelle was left to raise two children on her own while dealing with the life-changing effects of the tumor and trying to figure out how to survive.
The road has not been an easy one. Too many people believe that if you have a benign brain tumor, you are perfectly fine. That is far from the truth. A benign tumor can cause the same, and, at times, more severe deficits than a malignant tumor. Michelle struggles every day with severe headaches, musculoskeletal pain, balance issues, and cognitive problems. She works very hard to do as much for herself as possible in regards to normal daily activities and to improve her quality of life.
But Michelle is a survivor! She has raised two incredible children: Dailen is pursuing his PhD in Physical Therapy and Dejai will be heading off to college in the fall. Michelle resolved long ago to make the best of what she has been dealt and her positive attitude and strong faith are so very impressive and inspiring.
We salute you, Michelle!
