OUR STORY
Since 2012, the Glenn Garcelon Foundation has issued 746 grants to assist brain tumor patients in need in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. 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
EXECUTIVE BOARD
GAIL GARCELON
President
Gail and Glenn met in college and during their 36 years of marriage, they lived in Seattle, Denver, Washington, DC, Dallas and Portland, Oregon. They raised two wonderful daughters, who have their father’s passion for making the world a better place. Gail has a BA in English from Western Washington University, and graduate studies from the University of Washington and Mary Washington University. She is a retired English, AP English and Gifted and Talented teacher having taught in Washington, Virginia and Texas. While residing in Denton, Texas, she served as President of the Forrestridge Homeowners’ Association and on the Mayor’s Citizens’ Blue Ribbon Task Force. She lives in Coppell, Texas and is involved in her church and the Coppell Women's Club. Her passions include reading, travel, reaching out to the less fortunate, social justice issues, her grandchildren and continuing Glenn’s legacy.
DANIELLE (GARCELON) HESS
Vice President
Danielle, Glenn and Gail’s youngest daughter, was born in Colorado, raised in Virginia, and now happily calls Texas home. She is a registered nurse and works as a school nurse. She is also an Executive Sales Leader with Norwex. She and her husband have three children: Carson, Griffin, and Hadley. Danielle is active in her church. She regularly does volunteer work with her children.. Danielle and her dad were “buddies” and, over the years, developed a very close relationship while running races together - or just sitting and talking over a glass of wine. She is forever thankful that her father was able to walk her down the aisle at her 2005 wedding to husband, Jason and that he was able to meet and hold Carson Glenn, whom he called C. Glenn.
NICOLE (GARCELON) SMITH
Secretary
Nicole is Glenn and Gail's eldest daughter. She and her dad were very close, spending their time together running, rowing, playing crazy 8s, drinking coffee and talking about the joys and trials of life. Nicole was born in Denver, Colorado, but grew up in Northern Virginia. When she was 15, Glenn relocated the family to Denton, Texas where he had created FEMA's National Teleregistration Center. Nicole went to college at the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a major in History and a minor in French. She later went on to receive a paralegal certification from Southeastern Paralegal Institute in Dallas, Texas. In 2002, she moved to Oregon in order to live close to her parents. When Glenn was diagnosed with brain cancer, Nicole formed the Portland Brain Tumor Walk (a 5k that supports the National Brain Tumor Society). She led the planning of this event for eleven years, as she watched it grow to reach more and more people in the Portland brain tumor community. Nicole is the Executive Marketing Coordinator for AirBnB and lives in Texas with her husband, Craig where they enjoy visits from their three redheaded boys: Grayson, Cameron and Matthew .
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GLEN CLEMANS
Glen has been a financial advisor for thirty-four years and currently has his office in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Glen readily agreed to sit on the Board of the Glenn Garcelon Foundation and is an advocate and supporter of our mission. He resides in Sherwood, Oregon with his wife, Heather. They have five children and three grandchildren. His hobbies are marathon running and triathlons -including completing in several Iron Man competitions. He is also an avid cyclist and rides his bicycle to work daily (rain or shine) - 20 miles round trip!
MATT HUNT, MD
Dr. Hunt earned his medical degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine followed by his neurological surgery residency training at Oregon Health and Science University. He then pursued two fellowships: blood brain barrier and neurosurgical oncology at Oregon Health and Science University; and clinical neurosurgery at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London. Dr. Hunt is currently an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Minnesota and Chair of the Brain Tumor Interdisciplinary Site Specific Cancer Care Team at the Masonic Cancer Center. His clinical interests include neuro-oncology, general neurosurgery, and spinal neurosurgery and he specializes in the treatment of primary and metastatic brain tumors. Matt and his wife Heather reside in Minneapolis with their children Parker and Sullivan. During his neurosurgery residency in Oregon, Matt had the privilege of caring for Glenn and is honored to serve as a member of the board.
JUDY JOHANNESEN
Although Judy Johannesen was born in Iowa, she and her husband, Bob, of fifty years have lived in Argyle, Texas, for 31 years after living in North Carolina and Virginia. They have two children, Trace and Kristen, and eight grandchildren. Judy has a BA in Early Childhood Education from the University of Northern Iowa and taught for 7 years before opting to stay home with her children, where she started a Calligraphy business. In 1992, Judy started work at FEMA and worked for Glenn until his retirement. She retired as a trainer/facilitator in 2010. Judy is the workshop chair for the Fort Worth Calligraphy Guild. She is involved in her neighborhood with the Welcome and Sunshine committees, a Bible Study, and book and garden clubs. Judy helped facilitate GriefShare at her church for 6 years. Her passion for the Glenn Garcelon Foundation comes from working with the best boss ever: Glenn. His main purpose was to help make the workplace better for the people who worked with him. In addition to being a Circle of Hope donor, she has actively been involved with the annual Golf Classic since its inception and hosts an annual “Bottle for the Battle” event for the cause.
JENNIFER KAMBER
Jennifer currently resides in Northern Virginia with her beautiful daughters, Olivia and Morgan. Jennifer is very passionate about community outreach. She currently organizes a program within her church to help fight hunger in the community and serves on other committees that do the same. You can also find her volunteering at Olivia and Morgan’s school, on the PTA and in the girls’ classrooms. The Glenn Garcelon Foundation holds a very special place in Jennifer’s heart, as she has known and loved Glenn and the Garcelon family for over thirty years.
Sarah joined the Board in honor of her late husband, Alex Largent. Alex passed away from a Glioblastoma in 2022 after a ten year, miraculous journey. Alex received the official diagnosis in 2012 after an elected additional full body MRI. This accidental discovery saved his life and forever changed his outlook on life. It was during this journey that Sarah and Alex became connected with a community of support in the Glenn GArcelon Foundation. After Alex's passing Sarah knew that she wanted to be a part of the community that she was able to lean on in her time of need and to have a hand in making a difference in the lives of those affected by brain tumors. She has two sons that keep her life full and is very excited to be a part of this team.
NANCY MCGRAW
Nancy was raised in Arlington, Virginia, with strong Texas roots. She graduated from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, with a BA in Spanish. Nancy retired recently after managing the office of a motivational humorist for 24+ years. Traveling, music (especially her son, Dave's!) and keeping up with family and friends are her favorite things. Nancy and her husband, Jack, live in Englewood, Colorado. Jack and Glenn worked together for several years at FEMA in Washington, DC, where the families became good friends and vacationed together on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, as well as other locations. Nancy is honored to serve on this important foundation honoring Glenn.
CAROL SOLESBEE
Carol has been employed with FEMA for more than twenty-three years and worked for Glenn from 1998 until his retirement in 2001. Carol has been involved with the Glenn Garcelon Foundation since 2011 when she began volunteering as a committee member in preparation for the 1st Annual Golf Classic in April 2012. She is passionate about giving her time and sweet treats to both Texas annual events, the Golf Classic and Dallas Taste of Hope. “Glenn was a great leader, mentor, father, and husband. My memories of Glenn and my friendship with his family have inspired me to work to empower and support brain tumor patients”. Carol resides in Hickory Creek, Texas. She has two daughters and seven grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, motorcycle riding, traveling with friends and family, and spending time with her grandchildren.
TRENT TICE
Trent currently resides Lantana, Texas with roots in Telluride, Colorado and Lincoln, Nebraska (Go Huskers!). He graduated from The University of North Texas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling and Communications and a Masters in Education. In 1992, Trent began working for FEMA in Denton as a Service Representative assisting applicants in the wake of Hurricane Andrew. In 1994, Trent was hired by FEMA to be a Training Specialist at the Texas National Processing Services Center (TxNPSC) and what started as a part-time job has since turned out to be a 25 year FEMA/TxNPSC career with no end in sight. During Trent’s first 10 years with the TxNPSC, Glenn Garcelon was his Branch Chief and mentor. The years after Glenn retired from FEMA, Trent and Glenn became close friends. Trent is a devoted husband and father; Trent’s wife and partner, Jeannie have two sons, Jared and Justin. Outside of work, he enjoys Husker Football, golf, skiing, mountain adventures with his family in Colorado and life in general. One of Trent’s greatest adventures was his one year tour to many different locations in the United States, Canada, and Europe as an Up With People Cast Member in 1988-89. Trent credits Up With People and his relationship with Glenn as two of the biggest influences in his life as it relates to service to others and recognizing the importance of working to improve our communities on local and global levels.