Heroes Foundation Annual Report 2020

What’s your cancer story?

What’s your cancer story?

Everyone has one.

When someone is diagnosed with cancer — so are their friends, their family members, and their loved ones.

That’s why we’re here.

To prevent people from getting cancer in the first place.

To encourage regular screenings.

To champion better treatment options.

To ensure no one battles alone.

#whatsurcancerstory

Heroes Community, What can be said about the year 2020 that hasn’t already been said? Instead of reflecting on the negative aspects – many of which continue to persist as of this writing, I would like to consider the positive outcomes and lessons learned from the previous year.

We were very fortunate to have held our 20th anniversary An Evening With Heroes Gala in January and then our 10th annual Spin4Heroes (now Fit4Heroes) event in March, just before the pandemic set in and lockdowns commenced. Both events were very successful and really set the tone for our 20th year of operation.

The remainder of the year became quite interesting for an organization that derives the bulk of its revenue from events. Like many others, we moved the #PIFF Party from May to lateAugust and the Wine Tasting With Peachey from June to early-August and immediately began learning as much as we could about hosting virtual events. I’m thankful for a team and board that was collaborative, creative, and made the most of a constantly changing situation.

In September, with COVID-19 numbers on the decline, we were able to host our Swing4Heroes Pro-Am Golf Tournament – which had been sold out months in advance. It was a great day with great results. We look forward to expanding the field for our 5th anniversary event in 2021.

While much of the world was, has been, and in many cases still is focused on the pandemic, cancer hasn’t paused. In fact, we fear many of those battling cancer had even more difficult obstacles to overcome going through treatment and trying to stay safe with compromised immune systems. In addition, we fear many may have skipped or delayed important screenings or checks.

Our work to battle this disease in Indiana continued and we were happy to make additional gifts in 2020 to do just that.

We continued our funding of support programs at the Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Community Health, and Ascension St. Vincent. And we were happy to provide critical funding for multiple research projects, both adult and pediatric.

And finally, we expanded our prevention efforts, continuing to preach the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle, using sunscreen, and supporting cancer screenings. We also got hands-on, donating masks to cancer patients. In addition, our Project Militia crew Paid It Forward Friday by providing #PIFF lunches to emergency room staff and cancer centers around Central Indiana during the months of April and May to show these everyday heroes how much we appreciate them.

With a lack of in-person events, the biggest lesson we learned this past year was the importance of finding new ways to reach people – which is why in March of 2021, we launched the Summits Blog and in April we debuted the Summits Podcast with one goal in mind – to better connect with the cancer community.

Giving a platform to those who battle this deadly disease brings people together, raises awareness, and empowers. The therapeutic effect we see every time someone tells their story only confirms this and inspires us to continue.

In closing, I ask – what’s your cancer story?

Sincerely,

Vince Todd, Jr. Chairman and Co-Founder

The Heroes Foundation serves the Indiana cancer community by providing meaningful support to cancer patients, education to promote cancer prevention, and resources to advance research for a cure.

Support Cancer doesn’t take over part of your life – it takes over all of it. We support cancer patients by funding programs that help them claim their life back.

$25,000 to the CompleteLife Program at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, which offers support groups, alternative therapies, and activities to stimulate the mind, body, and spirit. During the COVID-19 pandemic, First Mondays support groups went virtual, but still offered cancer patients an opportunity to connect through the IU Simon Cancer Resource Center.

“Some people don’t have partners. Some don’t have people they can talk to.

This is a place where they can talk,” said Len Mozzi, a cancer patient and longtime participant in the First Mondays support group.

$15,000 for the Oncology Patient Assistance Fund at Community Health, which distributes $250 gift cards to patients in need to help with basic expenses during treatment.

$2,570 to support our healthcare heroes during the pandemic with Pay It Forward Friday (#PIFF) lunches, delivering 550 meals to hospital, emergency room, and cancer center staff.

Prevention Project Militia continued its mission of cancer prevention, promoting a healthy lifestyle, use of sunscreen, and early detection. With cancer screenings down due to the pandemic, medical experts fear more people will be diagnosed with cancer in later stages – reducing their treatment options and their chances of survival.

“The messages I’m getting from people who are now going to get colonoscopies and they’re catching a polyp right before it’s cancer, that keeps me going.”

- Lindy Thackston, FOX 59 Morning News Anchor & Colon Cancer Survivor

In 2020, Project Militia distributed more than 300 bottles of sunscreen and lip balm with SPF.

Research “Research is where the hope lives.”

- Dr. Kelvin Lee, Director of the Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center

In 2020, the Heroes Foundation funded in excess of $190,000 to support cancer research. The results of these groundbreaking projects could impact cancer treatment and prevention, not just in the state of Indiana – but worldwide.

Events Thanks to our donors, partners, and supporters, the pandemic didn’t slow down fundraising for the Heroes Foundation. In 2020, four out of our five events had record-breaking years.

An Evening With Heroes With IndyStar writer Gregg Doyel as emcee and Harry Santa-Olalla as auctioneer – in January, we hosted An Evening With Heroes. The live appeal raised $100,000, bringing the total raised to $350,000 – a record year for our 20th anniversary.

Spin4Heroes (now Fit4Heroes)

In March, the 10th annual Spin4Heroes (now Fit4Heroes) had 69 teams of participants challenging themselves physically while collecting pledges to raise $92,000 for the in-person and remote event.

#PIFF Party Headlined by Clayton Anderson and Brett Wiscons, the #PIFF Party went virtual at the end of August and still managed to raise $27,000.

Swing4Heroes In September, golfers gathered for the 4th annual Swing4Heroes golf tournament and raised a record $88,000.

Wine Tasting With Peachey In August, Wine Tasting With Peachey went virtual as supporters stayed home and hosted their own porch parties. With the addition of an online silent auction, the event raised a record $35,000 for the Catherine Peachey Fund, which supports breast cancer research.

What’s your cancer story?

Vince Todd, Jr. Chairman and Co-Founder of the Heroes Foundation, Vice President and Principal at Accessa At 26 years old, Vince Todd, Jr. was newly married to his college sweetheart, Cindy, when he developed a cough that wouldn’t go away.

After a series of doctor visits and tests, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Throughout his treatment, which included six months of chemotherapy – it wasn’t just the medicine that saved his life – it was the endless support of family and friends.

One day, he came home from treatment and found a copy of Lance Armstrong’s Book, “It’s Not About The Bike” on his doorstep.

It was the gift that changed everything.

Fueled by determination, a little inspiration, and the love and support of family and friends – Vince and Cindy hosted a gala to celebrate the end of his treatment – and it turned into something bigger than either of them ever imagined.

Now in its 21st year, the Heroes Foundation was formed with the mission of providing meaningful support to cancer patients, education to promote cancer prevention, and resources to advance research for a cure.

“Our goal is to beat cancer,” Vince said.

Until then, people need heroes to battle alongside them.

And every day, he gets up and puts on his cape.

#beatcancer

Catherine Peachey Fund Despite lab shutdowns, researchers working from home, and studies going into hibernation, the Catherine Peachey Fund continued to finance research to better understand breast cancer.

$20,000 to study why some breast cancer cells survive after treatment

$10,000 to fund the Komen Tissue Bank intern program

$1,380 to research motivations of minority women to donate healthy breast tissue

$75,000 to research breast cancer management by understanding normal breast biology The Catherine Peachey Fund doesn’t just fund research to cure breast cancer – it also funds research to prevent it.

$50,000 to research epigenetic changes among high-risk women

$10,000 to research how bacteria in the breast influences breast cancer progression

$4,000 for a software package update for the Komen Tissue Lab microscope

Team JOEY The pandemic put hospital visits on hold, but Team JOEY still dropped off more than 350 LEGO sets for pediatric oncology patients in Central Indiana hospitals.

$10,000 to research new and more effective treatments for rare tumors in children

SJP Heroes Cancer Research Fund In 2020, the SJP Fund continued its mission of advancing cancer treatment options by jumpstarting promising research.

$10,000 to research the effects of fasting on lung cancer patients

TOTAL :

$190,380 to support cancer research in Indiana

Team Heroes Team Heroes participated in a record-setting Spin4Heroes event in 2020 and with most other races and events cancelled, they prepared for 2021 by doing virtual rides and runs on Zwift and other individual intrateam challenges.

What’s your cancer story?

Chris Welch Owner, Driver Holdings, LLC and Former Team Heroes Member Chris Welch grew up in Upstate New York.

After college, he took a job with Cummins, which brought him to Indiana. After several jobs and several moves within the company, he convinced them to start a truck driver training school, which they eventually sold to him.

A competitive bike racer, Chris got involved with the Heroes Foundation through Team Heroes.

Now semi-retired and living an active lifestyle back in Upstate New York – last year, Chris started having problems swallowing.

His doctors assumed it was some kind of obstruction, so they went in to check it out.

The obstruction was actually a tumor, which doctors later diagnosed as esophageal cancer.

He spent the next several months enduring chemotherapy, radiation, and a seven-hour surgery to remove most of his esophagus and part of his stomach.

Through it all, he stayed positive by living life to the fullest – for him, that means walking his dogs for two hours every morning and riding his bike for two hours every afternoon.

Chris Welch wasn’t going to fight cancer laying down.

He gets up every morning and heals his mind, his body, and his spirit – by living his best life with renewed gratitude and restored hope.

“I would tell you, one of the benefits of having cancer is you appreciate those moments more than you otherwise might, because you don’t know.”

What’s your cancer story?

Bryan Babb Attorney at Bose McKinney & Evans LLP, and Heroes Foundation Board Member Bryan Babb played quarterback for the Carmel Greyhounds and DePauw University before transferring to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

One of 13 quarterbacks trying to make the roster, he made the team and worked his way up to starter his junior year.

Then, life hit him with something he didn’t see coming – at 22 years old, Bryan was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

From college football to the military, law school, and now, practicing law and raising his family back in Indiana – today, Bryan gets his football fix watching his twin 13-year-old sons.

He uses his experience to pay it forward – telling his story and educating other males about the importance of self-exams.

Bryan was introduced to the Heroes Foundation through Team Heroes, where he competes in cycling events and raises awareness for the cause. He also serves as a Heroes Foundation board member.

His why is simple.

“For me, having lived through it – I mean, it’s a pretty terrifying experience to have to deal with.”

Be a hero for the cancer community A legacy gift to the Heroes Foundation helps ensure that the work we do for the Indiana cancer community can continue for generations to come.

From a simple bequest to more complicated charitable trusts, there are many ways you can include the Heroes Foundation in your estate plans. Our staff is happy to work with you and your financial advisor, tax professional or family attorney to determine how a legacy gift can help you meet your financial and charitable goals while supporting the continued success of the Heroes Foundation’s mission.

All legacy donors who share their plans with the Heroes Foundation will be recognized as a distinguished member of the Summit Society, our exclusive society that recognizes and celebrates donors that have included the Heroes Foundation in their estate plans.

For more information or to discuss making a legacy gift, contact us at contactus@heroesfoundation.org or 317-983-6580.

Follow Us Scan the QR code to be taken to all Heroes Foundation social media links or CLICK HERE if viewing online.

Be sure to use the hashtags below!

#beheroic | #beatcancer #showursummits #whatsurcancerstory

2020 Summit Sponsors Heroes Foundation Summit Sponsors provide critical support to our organization throughout the entire year. These corporate partners are engaged in the Heroes Foundation in various ways and are represented at all five of our 2020 fundraising events.

Denali Sponsors

Kilimanjaro Sponsors

Corporate Sponsors and In-Kind Donors • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

American Structurepoint Anthem BC/BS of IN Apex Benefits Appian Media Ascension St. Vincent Barrett Eye Care Bingham Greenbaum Doll Bose McKinney & Evans Bright Ideas Browning Investments BuildSmart Caliber Home Loans Ceramic Industrial Coatings Community Health Network Cookies for Kids’ Cancer Cortez Labs - Orca DairyChem/Church Family Foundation Delta Faucet Dentons Bingham Greenebaum Dr. Anna Maria Storniolo and Dr. Joel Scherer Eli Lilly First Bank of Richmond First Financial Bank First Internet Bank Founders Foursome Four Day Ray Goelzer Investment Management H.J. Spier Co. Harding Poorman Henkel Highland Golf and Country Club Hokanson Companies

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Hollister Corp HotBox Pizza Ice Miller Indiana Health Industry Forum Indianapolis Colts Indianapolis Fruit Indianapolis Healthplex Jiffy Lube Just Pop In Karen Key Marlett Photography Katz Sapper Miller Kelly Todd Group F.C. Tucker K-Medical LLC Leo Brown Group MacAlister Machinery Markey’s Rentals and Staging Matt Green Matt King Realty Group McAlister’s Deli at Cool Creek McNamara Merchants Bank Monarch Morgan Stanley Mark Linden Moser Consulting Mosquito Joe of Central Indiana NCP Coatings Newgrange Consulting Passageways PepsiCo Platform 24 Priority Physicians

• • • • • • • •

• •

Rad Brewing Co. Renita Haines, CPA Rich Plum SBC Wealth Management Schwarz Partners Senior Home Companions Shurig Solutions Singer Wealth Advisory of Raymond James SoBro Spirits Sophisticated Living Southern Wine & Spirits Starmount Forest Country Club Steve and Angie Bell Sun King Superior Chemical Taft Law The Birch Family The Brauer Family Foundation The Creighton Family Fund The Lesher Family The Linden Family The Peachey Family The Rufenbarger Family The Schaffer Family The Teed Family TKO Graphix Tree-O TSI Energy Solutions UBS - Schillaci, Johns, Wenstrup, and Associates UnitedHealthOne Upland Brewing

• • • •

Hanson & Feary Sensory Technologies Specialized Taft Law United Health One

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Team Heroes Sponsors • • • • •

Community Health Network Eliel Engel & Volkers Gray Goat Sports Grin Dentistry

• • • • •

Motion Cycling & Fitness Oak Street Funding Republic Services SBC Wealth Management Scopelitis - Garvin Light

Statement of Activities FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020 The Heroes Foundation works to be as fiscally responsible as possible in order to maximize the amount of money we can directly put toward our programs and mission.

SUPPORT AND REVENUE Unrestricted Restricted Endowment

Total

Contributions

$ 58,522

$ 58,522

Fundraising events, net of direct costs

342,392

Sales

2,901

Investment income

44,256

Total support and revenue

451,071

-0-

-0-

-0-

342,392

2,901

60,591

104,847

60,591

511,662

EXPENSES Grants and Program Services

139,729

-0-

139,729

Management and General

200,281

-0-

200,281

Total Expenses

340,010

-0-

340,010

CHANGE IN NET ASSETS

111,061

60,591

171,652

Net Assets, Beginning of Year

939,892

Net Assets, Dec. 31, 2020

$ 1,050,953

367,533 $ 428,124

1,307,425

$ 1,479,077

Please consider supporting the Heroes Foundation Explore Sponsorship. Download our Corporate Sponsorship Package at heroesfoundation.org/our-story to find out how you can be a hero for the cancer community.

Request a copy by emailing (contactus@heroesfoundation.org) or calling us (317-983-6580).

Make a Donation. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Visit heroesfoundation.org/donate.

Become a Volunteer. Find out how you can be a hero by emailing (contactus@heroesfoundation.org) or calling us (317-983-6580).

In Memory of Janet Baker In 2021, the Heroes Foundation lost one of its own.

Janet Baker was a tireless advocate for the Heroes Foundation even prior to joining the organization as marketing and development manager in 2017. A generous giver of her time and her talents, Janet was kind, thoughtful, and optimistic - even while she fought a long and courageous battle with cancer herself.

“She was kind of like a guardian angel to a lot of people and she always carried herself that way.”

“I feel like she really put her heart into that role because of how personal it was for her,” said Janet’s son, Aidan. “I know how much it meant to her to be able to give back to people who were going through the same things she was.”

A beloved mother, Janet was also a daughter, a sister, and a friend to many.

“I heard a lot of stories, ‘Your mom did this for me while I was battling cancer. Your mom did this for me when I was going through whatever it was,’” said Aidan. “She was kind of like a guardian angel to a lot of people and she always carried herself that way.”

Just as she was in life, Janet was surrounded by family and friends when she died peacefully in her home on Wednesday, February 24, 2021.

“In those last few weeks when I was with her, we had so many friends and family members come by the house and see her and I just kept hearing all these stories,” Aidan said. “’Your mother was able to help me with my first job or landed me this position or sent me flowers when I was going through this when no one else did.’ She just touched so many lives.”

Janet is greatly missed by those who knew her, loved her, and fought alongside her.

“Janet Baker was a staunch supporter of the Heroes Foundation, having served both on our board and as an employee,” said Chairman and Co-Founder Vince Todd, Jr. “Cancer was personal for Janet, having lost her father too soon and waging her own battle against this dreaded disease. Paying it forward was important to her and it’s something she did with every ounce of strength she had.”

The Heroes Foundation continues to fight in honor of Janet and all the friends, family members, and loved ones lost to cancer.

Our Team

STAFF

Vince Todd, Jr. Chairman and Co-Founder

Cindy Todd Program & Event Manager & Co-Founder

Heather Lloyd Content Coordinator

Kelly Smith Executive Director

Tara Holcomb Marketing Coordinator

Stephanie Kelly Canada Rufenbarger Lesher Board Member, Program Manager, Board Member, Program Manager, Catherine Peachey Fund Team JOEY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Daniel Abdalla The Brookfield Group/Platform 24

Bryan Babb Bose McKinney & Evans LLP

Kara Clinton Eli Lilly

Andru Creighton Cortez Labs

Amy Frizzell BKD

Renita Haines CPA

James Hinshaw Dentons Bingham Greenbaum

Matt King FC Tucker

Julie Otte, PhD, RN, OCN IU School of Nursing

Steve Peachey Jr., Community Health Network

Joe Todd Accessa

Joel Russell eImagine Technology Group Inc.

Dr. Catherine Todd FHI 360

Dr. Jason Schaffer IU Health

Bob Treash Givergy, Inc.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS EMERITUS

Brian Betner, Hall Render Don Birch, Van Ausdall & Farrar Kyle Fisher, Community Health Network

Mike Kaplan, Salesforce Pat Murphy, Anthem John Ryan, Hall Render

Sue Todd Vince Todd, Accessa

The Heroes Foundation 1034 East New York St. Indianapolis, IN 46202

heroesfoundation.org 317-983-6580 contactus@heroesfoundation.org