To get involved with the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation and Race for Research, go to www.sbtf.org
Phil McElhaney was described as a man with a flawless character who enjoyed every ounce of life. His memory and personal motto of “enjoy life and do good” was alive Sept. 5 at The Buckhead Club as his friends gathered to raise money for the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation.
The fundraiser was hosted by his widow, Myra McElhaney, who has dedicated herself to fight for brain tumor research — the same disease that took Phil from her in 2009. The money raised that night will benefit the McElhaney’s Pub team for SBTF’s Race for Research being held at Atlantic Station on Sept. 21.
SBTF is a nonprofit that gives grants to brain tumor centers in the southeast. “The foundation is about bringing awareness and visibility to a shadowed disease,” said Jennifer Giliberto, vice president of the board for SBTF, who is also a brain tumor patient. “This disease affects everyone differently, and so the foundation rewards research grants to various groups so we can have a better understanding of the disease for patients, their families and the public.”
Currently, there is no screening test for brain tumors which causes diagnoses to be made when the cancer has spread aggressively in the brain.
The McElhaney Pub team has been participating in the 5K race for the past three years. Named after Phil’s passion for Irish pubs — which led him to build one in the basement of their former Alpharetta home — the support for the cause has not waned. The race team has raised and donated more than $10,000 to SBTF since 2010.
Teams like the McElhaney Pub are always welcome to join the race and fight for brain tumor research. “Like all organizations, our strength is in numbers. We encourage people to join this cause and register for the race,” said Giliberto, whose team is called Babes with Brains. “With help of the community, SBTF is able to help scientists and researchers get closer to understanding the battle with the disease.”
SBTF has rewarded $1.6 million research grants to various universities and organizations across the Southeast for pediatric and adult cancers. The organization also provides support groups and resources of patients and their families.
The McElhaney Pub used to be a gathering spot for Phil, Myra and their friends. But, now it’s a virtual pub that carries the message and spirit of Phil. “He always believed in the value of good friendships,” said Myra. “It’s great to see so many people turn out to support the foundation and the cause. But what I hope everyone takes away from this is to enjoy life and have fun. It’s the way Phil lived his life.”
The fundraiser was hosted by The Buckhead Club’s Cocktails for A Cause. The initiative allows a member to host an event once a month where 50 percent of the proceeds are donated to the member’s charity of choice.
In other news: Ashworth College partnered with Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County and worked together to renovate a house as part of the online school's 2013 Graduation Week activities.
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