The LBF Community Breaks Records, Determined to Fund Change

On Saturday, November 4th, LBF Celebrated the 12th Annual Fall Ball! This year’s theme was Determined to Fund Change. We were joined by over 425 attendees and exceeded our fundraising goals. The funds raised will support the work of doctors and researchers who are working diligently to find safe and effective treatments for children who are battling pediatric brain cancer. For many children battling brain cancer, there is just not enough time, and these funds will help to make progress NOW.

The Lilabean Foundation's Hero wall collage

This year’s event featured the LBF HERO Wall, an interactive wall that featured the 19 LBF Heroes who are a constant reminder of why we remain determined to fund research. The event also featured keynote remarks from Dr. Sam Blackman, Co-founder, and Head of R&D at Day One Biopharmaceuticals. His message focused on hope. His speech was incredibly moving, and as he wrapped up he left the crowd with a final thought “With increasing years…we all learn that while hope is essential in caring for children with cancer, hope alone is not sufficient to create change. As both a physician and a scientist, it doesn’t take long to realize that while hope is a critical part of the equation, hope alone doesn’t solve problems. There is another critical variable that is required: determination. In the calculus of medicine development, hope multiplied by determination yields change. It is this equation that fuels the work of those who care for children with cancer, and those who try to discover and create new therapies… It was my belief 5 years ago, and my belief still today, that by having both sides of the equation balanced - hope and determination – plus a little luck and some funding – that you can create change.”


Dr. Blackman’s remarks were followed by the presentation of the 2023 Jack Purssord Courage Award. The spirit of this award reflects a happy soul who starts the day with a smile and honors LBF Hero Jack Purssord. This year the award was introduced by Kaitlyn Purssord, Jack’s older sister, who presented the award to LBF Hero, Kasey. We were honored to be joined by Kasey’s parents, Alyssa and Joe Zachmann, who accepted the award on Kasey’s behalf. Alyssa stated in her remarks, “We hope for a day when all future LBF Heroes are living fully into their adult years, just as all of us have had the privilege to do.” Joe Zachmann ended their moving speech with words of gratitude, “You are all part of the solution, and our entire family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts…”

The Lilabean Foundation fundraiser

We premiered an impactful video highlighting the critical need for progress to move faster for families experiencing a diagnosis but also for those who experience a relapse and are running out of approved options. This was followed by a record-breaking Raise the Paddle effort to support critical brain cancer research. If you weren’t able to attend this year’s Fall Ball, we encourage you to spend a few minutes watching this video. Although heartbreaking, it shows why we must be Determined to Fund Change for kids like Kasey, Cameron, and so many others. If you feel inclined to join us, you can still contribute here.


We are so grateful for the overwhelming support of our sponsors, attendees, and all who supported the event. LBF remains determined to fund important research that will inform better treatment options and outcomes for children with brain cancer. 

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LBF's Transformative Partnership with CBTN Drives Groundbreaking Advances Brain Cancer Research

The Lilabean Foundation’s Transformative Partnership with CBTN Drives Groundbreaking Advances in Pediatric Brain Cancer Research

March 12, 2025
The Lilabean Foundation (LBF) has played a vital role in advancing pediatric brain cancer research, providing significant support to the Children’s Brain Tumor Network (CBTN) based at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. From its origins as a small family foundation, LBF has grown into one of the most influential contributors to CBTN, driving innovative research and achieving new milestones in philanthropy. One of the most notable impacts of LBF’s support is its investment in Project Accelerate, an initiative designed to expedite research and enhance the Pediatric Brain Tumor Atlas. Through LBF’s backing, CBTN has been able to recruit essential data engineers and bioinformaticians, improving research methodologies and strengthening data models. This investment has helped break down silos and create more robust predictive models, optimizing diagnostic accuracy and advancing AI technology. This initiative is positioning CBTN to achieve transformative breakthroughs in precision care and treatment for pediatric brain tumors “The impact of The Lilabean Foundation's generosity cannot be overstated,” said Dr. Adam Resnick, Scientific Director of the Children’s Brain Tumor Network.” “With this partnership, we are paving the way for the next era of pediatric brain cancer treatment and care. Thanks to this continued support, we are one step closer to ensuring that children with brain tumors have the best possible outcomes.” Maximizing Research Potential and Driving AI Innovation: LBF’s contributions have also been instrumental in maximizing the impact of the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) data generation initiative. With LBF’s support, CBTN was able to extract and ship over 7,000 specimens, enabling the standardization of critical molecular data. This data has formed the foundation for AI-driven technologies, putting CBTN at the forefront of AI research and allowing for discoveries that were once unimaginable. By integrating clinical, molecular, and imaging data into a single multimodal dataset, this collaboration is enhancing the ability to create more individualized and effective treatment plans for children with brain tumors. “The integration of this multimodal data is a game-changer,” said Nicole Giroux, Executive Director of The Lilabean Foundation. “It has the potential to dramatically improve how we understand and treat pediatric brain tumors.” Preparing for Future Breakthroughs: With LBF's continued support, CBTN is now poised for its next big leap in research. The foundation’s investment in Project Accelerate has led to the creation of an extensive multimodal dataset, which was instrumental in securing a first-of-its-kind award from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). This prestigious award, focused on pediatrics, combined with a new partnership with Amazon Web Services, positions CBTN for major advancements in AI capabilities and further opportunities for breakthrough research. A Legacy of Impact: LBF’s sustained commitment to CBTN is a testament to the power of philanthropy and the profound impact that a dedicated donor community can have on children’s healthcare. Their investments have not only laid the groundwork for groundbreaking research but are also shaping the future of pediatric brain tumor treatment and care, from bench to bedside. “We are incredibly grateful for the support of The Lilabean Foundation,” said Jena Lilly, executive director of CBTN. “Their partnership has been invaluable in driving forward our shared mission to improve the lives of children battling brain tumors. Together, we are creating a future where cures and better treatments are within reach.”
Bethesda magazine features The Lilabean Foundation hero in January/February issue

Bethesda Magazine Features LBF in January/February Issue

February 11, 2025
We are thrilled to be featured in the Bethesda Magazine January/February 2025 edition! It’s a privilege to share the work we’re doing at the Lilabean Foundation to support families and children and the heartfelt origin story of why the foundation exists. Grateful for the opportunity to amplify our mission and continue making a meaningful impact in the community. Thank you Amy Halpern and Bethesda Magazine for capturing and creating such a heartfelt feature. Click here to read the article and the January/February edition of Bethesda Magazine.
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