Gift supports pediatric brain cancer research

Kortney Rose Gillette

OCEANPORT - On what would have been their daughter Kortney's 11th birthday, Rich and Kristen Gillette gave a gift of $75,000 to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Nov. 27.

Diagnosed in December 2005 with a brain stem glioma, a rare brain tumor, 9- year-old Kortney was treated by the doctors at the Children's Hospital before she succumbed to the disease four months later.

The Gillettes, who live in Oceanport with their daughter Kasey, established the Kortney Rose Foundation in August 2007 to help channel their grief into something positive by raising money for pediatric brain tumor research and awareness.

"I chose Kortney's birthday as the day to donate our [the foundation's] year's worth of fundraising efforts with the hope of turning what could be a very sad day into one with a positive memory," said Kristen Gillette. "All of this effort was made in Kortney's name to create a legacy of helping other children suffering with brain tumors through the promise of research."

She hopes to raise even more money for next year with a goal of $100,000 - the average annual cost of a researcher at Children's Hospital.

Fundraising efforts for the Kortney Rose Foundation in 2007 included a dinner-dance in May and Kortney's Challenge, a two-mile walk/run in September, both of which are slated to become annual events.

Additional fundraising support came from community efforts and donations by local businesses. For Kristen Gillette, "No amount is too small; we are grateful for every penny."

In addition to raising money for research, the foundation raises awareness about the prominence and severity of pediatric brain tumors. According to Gillette, brain tumors are the leading cause of death in children under 19 years of age and are as frequently diagnosed as acute lymphoblastic leukemia, statistics that she says she was never aware of.

"I am determined to get the word out about this, as well as the need for private funding - especially as the federal government continues to cut funding for such research projects," said Gillette. "Our children's lives depend on it."

Gillette hopes to help other children with her organization's continued support of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Founded in 1855, Children's Hospital was the nation's first pediatric hospital and remains dedicated to pioneering major research initiatives, fostering many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide.