American Brain Tumor Association Recognizes Philadelphia Family Foundation With Annual Award

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Mar 12, 2010, 03:59 ET

Inaugural Joel A. Gingras, Jr. Award Presented to Joel A. Gingras, Jr. Memorial Fund

CHICAGO, March 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) presented its first Joel A. Gingras, Jr. Award to the Joel A. Gingras, Jr. Memorial Fund during the Fund's recent Gala at Philadelphia's Union League.

The award was established by the American Brain Tumor Board of Directors this year to honor the Joel A Gingras, Jr. Memorial Fund (The JAG Fund) and its more than 20-year commitment to, and unprecedented level of philanthropic support of, the American Brain Tumor Association and its mission. The board also voted unanimously to recognize the Joel A. Gingras, Jr. Memorial Fund as the inaugural award recipient.

Since 1989, the Gingras family has supported the American Brain Tumor Association through the Joel A. Gingras, Jr. Memorial Fund in honor and memory of their brother and son who died in 1988 from a brain tumor. Last year, the JAG Fund surpassed the $1 million fundraising mark.

The award will be given annually to an individual, organization or group that, through philanthropy, advocacy, discovery or patient care, has had a major impact on the Association's ability to achieve its mission.

"This is truly a remarkable achievement and a testament to the love and generosity Joel continues to inspire in his family and friends," said American Brain Tumor Association Board of Directors Vice President Claudette Yasell. "It is our expectation that this award will serve as an inspiration to others and as an enduring tribute to Joel and the entire Gingras family."

JAG Fund President Johnathan Gingras said the creation and continuation of the JAG Fund has allowed his family to remember Joel, while working to help others.

"I think I can speak for my entire family when I say that winning this award is truly an honor, but having the ABTA create an award in Joel's name is our greatest achievement," said Gingras. "We could not have succeeded without the love and support of all our board members (past and present) who have sacrificed hours to make the JAG Fund what it is today. Without them and all of our dedicated followers we would not have made the impact that we did. I hope this award will help inspire others to make extraordinary efforts to help us all reach our ultimate goal of eliminating brain tumors."

In addition to the Gala, the Gingras family hosts a multi-day event in Bucks County, Pennsylvania each August. The weekend festivities include the JAG Golf Classic on a Friday; and a Delaware River Tube Float, barbeque, and evening party with live music and dancing on Saturday.

Founded in 1973, the American Brain Tumor Association was the first national, non-profit organization dedicated solely to brain tumors. Today, ABTA's research funding and patient support and education services have positioned the organization as a leader in the brain tumor community.

SOURCE American Brain Tumor Association