1	The Brooks Cancer Story Before July, 2007, Taylor was a normal teenager, looking forward to starting as a freshman at high school where she would be taking all honors and gifted classes. She is a first degree black belt in Tang Soo Do and enjoyed playing soccer and taking guitar lessons. Taylor's life changed radically in July of 2007. We noticed that her stomach was swollen, and although she was dieting and doing quite a bit of physical exercise, it was not going down. We took her to her pediatrician for an examination and the doctor immediately sent us to Scottish Rite, a Children's Healthcare of Atlanta hospital. She was admitted and tests were begun. The doctors discovered there were tumors in her stomach and did a biopsy of her lymph nodes. On Friday, July 13, 2007, 6 days before her 14th birthday, we got the news that every parent dreads hearing. Taylor had cancer. Specifically, she had Stage IV Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor cancer. This is a very rare type of cancer and is usually found in boys. That same day, Taylor began her chemotherapy treatments. Because her cancer is rare and funding for children's cancer research is limited, her treatments are planned by the doctor searching for documented cases and trying these regimens to see if they deliver positive results. Taylor relapsed in early 2008. Taylor lost her battle with cancer and won a place in heaven just after 3AM on April 1, 2008 while her parents held her with her sister by her side.
2	Taylor’s Legacy How did she serve? Went to school everyday she was not in treatment Kept statistics for the CHHS Girl’s Varsity Soccer team, acting as a team manager Poster child for Red Cross Blood Drive at Georgia Tech yielding 300 pints Volunteered as a score keeper at an International Karate Competition Organized a holiday party for the patients and parents at the AFLAC Cancer Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Organized fund raising to bridge the technology budget gap for the new AFLAC Cancer Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta How was she recognized? CHHS Chorus benefit concert for Relay for Life in Taylor’s name Gwinnett Daily article and “Man down” play by CHHS & MCHS girls Awarded “2008 Warriors Way” by Atlantic Pacific Tang Soo Do Organization Cut the Ribbon at the opening ceremony for the new AFLAC Cancer Center Standing room only at her memorial service
3	Taylor Brooks Foundation Fighting Childhood Cancer
4	Our Vision A community that selflessly attacks Childhood Cancer at a level commensurate with its impact to our society Our Mission Serve patients, families and doctors dealing with rare forms of childhood cancer thru: increasing the visibility of Childhood Cancer humanitarian support of the patients and care-givers resources to analyze and implement treatment options resources to research new treatments
5	A Few Points on Childhood Cancer 1 in 330 Americans develop cancer before the age of twenty-one. 2 classrooms of children are diagnosed every school day in the USA 1 in 4 elementary schools has a child with cancer The average High School has 2 current or former patients Cancer is the #1 disease killer of children ages 0-20 in the USA Causes of most childhood cancers are unknown. At present, childhood cancer cannot be prevented. In the United States, the incidence of cancer among adolescents and young adults is increasing at a greater rate than any other age group, except those over 65 years. Only 1 new drug has been approved for the treatment of childhood cancers in the past decade. Most treatment options have long lasting effects; sterility, cognitive & physical development, physical debilitation Major Non-profit organizational annual funding for Childhood Cancer research ~ $5M of ~ $865M budget vs ~ $50M for Adult Cancers References The Rally Foundation, Candle Lighters, American Cancer society, the childhood cancer book
6	Status of the Foundation
7	2008 Foundation Objectives & Opportunities Establish the legal, financial & leadership structure of the foundation Hold the first fund raising event Build financial resources to $50,000 Distribute 50 new diagnosis Kits to new patient parents Deliver Sunday Morning Donuts Provide a grant to one oncology student to consolidate treatment and clinical trial information for 3 patients Host the 2^nd annual Taylor Brooks Christmas Party at her treatment Hospital
8	How can you help? Make a donation Participate in an event and collect donations from your contacts Volunteer to help this foundation organize an event Volunteer or donate to other organizations supporting childhood cancer Target current donations to ACS to Childhood Cancer Research