Brandon C. Gromada Head Neck Cancer Foundation

Who We Are: Brandon C. Gromada Head & Neck Cancer Foundation is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that funds innovative head and neck cancer (HNC) research and raises public awareness about this form of cancer. The foundation, named for Brandon C. Gromada, was launched by his parents on June 3, 2012, the day after his death from HNC. We are committed to supporting ground-breaking research that leads not only to the development of more effective, less-debilitating treatments but also to the discovery of cures for HNC. We want no other family to know the sadness of losing a beloved member to HNC.

What We Do: Only research will lead to new treatments and cures. We raise funds for HNC research, administer a grant process, and award funds annually for the most promising research proposals. Brandon’s Foundation also participates in events to raise public awareness of HNC. The foundation usually “Heads for a Cure” in February by hosting an annual Mardi Gras MASKerade but not this year! We cheer community businesses that hold fundraising events, and individuals or groups who host product parties or Facebook fundraisers or donate privately. Thanks to different types of contributions, Brandon’s Foundation has awarded more than $250,000 for groundbreaking HNC research.

Why We’re Important: Brandon’s foundation gets promising, peerreviewed research projects off the ground. Although HNC is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, it is grossly underfunded when it comes to allocation of research dollars. Current treatments, which have changed little in decades, often have both immediate and long-term debilitating side effects. Related surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation frequently result in facial disfigurement, loss of oral function with difficulty eating and swallowing requiring an indwelling feeding tube, loss of many or most teeth, speech difficulties, and so on. Mental and emotional effects are also common. Only research can drive changes in treatment and discover cures.

How We Serve the Community: Brandon’s foundation has awarded two to three HNC research grants annually since 2014. Researchers with the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center (UCCC) have been the beneficiaries of 55-60% of our total award funding. Because proposals from researchers at the UCCC continually ranked in the top two and received funding each year, we entered into an agreement with UCCC in 2018 to provide an annual grant award of $25,000 for a HNC project fitting the foundation’s guidelines. We hope our commitment to UCCC’s HNC research program will be one contributing factor in UCCC achieving National Cancer Institute (NCI) status soon.

How You Can Help: The current pandemic has presented unusual fundraising challenges for Brandon's Foundation, which are continuing into a second year. In 2021 you can help Brandon’s foundation bring an end to HNC by: • Participating in foundation fundraising events • Purchasing a sponsorship level for the April Stay Home – Stay

Safe MASKerade • Contributing the amount one could have been spent on the

Mardi Gras MASKerade. • Serving on an event committee or task force • Hosting an individual fundraiser benefitting Brandon’s foundation • Contributing regularly and to his foundation, including through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)

Brandon C. Gromada Head & Neck Cancer Foundation c/o 2510 Grandin Road, Cincinnati, OH 45208 513-325-2550 www.gromadacancerfndn.org/ Facebook www.facebook.com/ BrandonCGromadaHeadNeckCancerFoundation Twiiter: @BCG_Cancer_FDN

Executive Director: NA – all volunteer organization; no paid positions at this time Email: bcg.headneckcafdn@gmail.com

Board Chair: Karen Gromada

Board Members: Joseph Gromada, MD, Co-Chair; Christina Keuper Gromada, Secretary; Elizabeth Gromada, Treasurer; Carolyn Durstock, Terri Gaughan; Carey Kuznar; Jim McGraw, Jr, Esq; Michael Pardo