The Cure Starts Now North Texas

06/18/2026

It’s not too late! The team is coming together and there’s still holes to fill!! Reach out today!

06/17/2026

Big news for Austin: his latest scan showed major shrinkage. 🎉 After mixed results in February, this is the kind of update we all celebrate. Austin came home from MRI day ready for Superman, and today we’re cheering for our favorite little superhero. Every milestone deserves its moment. 💙🦸

05/30/2026

Calling all North Texas leaders, changemakers, and philanthropists!!

If you have a passion for making a difference and want to lend your skills to a crucial cause, The Cure Starts Now North Texas needs you.

We are expanding our local chapter and looking for community-minded individuals to help us drive funding for pediatric brain cancer research.
Bring your network, your passion, and your expertise to the fight. Reach out to start the conversation about joining our chapter today. Let us work together to put your unique gifts and talents to good use. Text or leave a comment below.

Michelle Bjornberg 972-333-0344

We are looking for a few peeps!!

1. Event Lead (The Timeline Tracker, Project Manager)

• The Big Picture: You are the captain who keeps the ship moving forward! You’ll help everyone stay on track with our golf tournament checklist so we hit our goals smoothly and without the last-minute scramble.

Our 14th Annual Sydney’s Band of Gold Golf Tournament scheduled for April 26, 2027 at Old American Golf Club in Frisco.

• What You’ll Do:
o Host brief check-ins with the team to see how tasks are progressing.
o Gently remind team members of upcoming deadlines.
o Act as the main point of contact to ensure no details fall through the cracks.

• Perfect For: Someone who loves checklists, organization, and cheering a team on to the finish line.

2. Raffle & Auction Coordinator
• The Big Picture: You get to head up one of the most exciting and high-impact parts of the tournament! This role focuses on gathering great prizes and setting up a fun fundraising experience for our players.

• What You’ll Do:

o Reach out to local North Texas businesses for prize donations (gift cards, experiences, gear).
o Organize and display the prizes beautifully on tournament day.
o Coordinate the ticket sales and tracking for the raffle and auction.

• Perfect For: Someone who is outgoing, loves community networking, and has an eye for presentation.

3. Volunteer Committee Chair
• The Big Picture: Behind every great event is a great crew. You will be the friendly face who recruits, organizes, and supports our day-of volunteers to make sure they know exactly where to go and what to do.

• What You’ll Do:

o Help gather a list of volunteers (friends, family, local students, or community members).
o Assign volunteers to simple day-of roles (like registration, live auction spotters, or hole monitoring).
o Be the go-to person on tournament day to answer volunteer questions and keep them energized.

• Perfect For: A natural people-person who is welcoming, encouraging, and great at delegating.

4. Social Media & Digital Communicator
• The Big Picture: Help us tell our story and get the community excited! You will manage our digital presence to boost tournament registration, thank sponsors, and share the impact we are making for pediatric brain cancer research.

• What You’ll Do:

o Create and schedule simple timeline based posts leading up to the event (using templates we can provide).
o Share updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and live photos on tournament day.
o Help draft occasional reminder emails or digital updates to our network.

• Perfect For: Someone who is creative, comfortable with Facebook/Instagram, and loves digital storytelling.

05/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/18FQzTtEPC/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Every year, we’re proud to honor and recognize the members of our Strategic Advisory Council, many of whom have served multiple terms to enhance the SAC’s impact.

All are dedicated Chapter Directors whose tireless efforts don’t stop with raising funds for research. They also work together to imagine and implement new fundraising ideas, and oversee Chapter operations worldwide.

More tellingly, they are an integral force behind our research funding. In collaboration with our Medical Advisory Council, the SAC votes to approve recommendations regarding research grant proposals.

As families who know the battle against childhood brain cancers intimately, their opinions and experience are invaluable.

Welcome to our 2026 Strategic Advisory Council.💜💛🩵🩷

Alyssa Hawranko (Chair) – Pennsylvania (Western)
Stacey Arisian – Connecticut (Milford)
Michelle Bjornberg – Texas (North)
Vicky Cha – Texas (Central)
Cari Comboye – Canada (Victoria)
Brooke Desserich – Ohio
Melissa Fleming – Texas (Austin - Round Rock) Team Brock
Tim Hayden – Ohio (JTHF)
Lisa Hill – Indiana (Lauren Hill)
Josh Hines – Ohio (Harleigh’s Angels)
Kate Jessen – Indiana (Adalynn STRONG)
Lonnie Kaplan – Pennsylvania SE (Mallory Sky’s the Limit)
Christi King – Wisconsin (Brayleighville)
Mark Meinhardt – Ohio (Sophie’s Angel Run)
Eleni Millios – Australia
Nick Moran – Nebraska (Jimmy the Great)
Ginny Pritchett – Virginia
Robyn Staub – Connecticut
Jesse Thompson – New Hampshire (Gilford)
Heidi Varns – Indiana (Addison’s Sunshine)
Jill Walworth – Indiana (Courage for ConLei)

04/29/2026

Thank You 💛

I’m still taking it all in from yesterday.

What started because of Sydney… continues because of all of you.

Every golfer, every sponsor, every volunteer, every person who showed up or supported in any way… you are part of something so much bigger than a single day.

You are part of giving kids and families something we didn’t always have… hope.

There are still moments where it’s hard to believe this is our story.
But seeing this community come together the way it did reminds me why we keep going.

Through The Cure Starts Now, this support is helping fund research that is changing what’s possible for these kids.

And while the tournament is over… the mission is not.

👉 If you weren’t able to be there, you can still be part of this
👉 Donations are still open, and every dollar makes a difference

https://events.thecurestartsnow.org/sydneys-band-of-gold-golf-tournament/

From the bottom of my heart… thank you for showing up for Sydney, and for every child still fighting 💛

Forever and Always Believe! Never Ever Giving UP! 💙

04/23/2026

We are thrilled to announce that Target D of the TarGeT umbrella trial is now officially activated at Sydney Children’s Hospital!
This marks a massive milestone: Sydney is the very first international site to open outside the US. This arm of the study assesses the efficacy of olutasidenib and temozolomide for patients with IDH1-mutant, newly-diagnosed High-Grade Glioma (HGG) and Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).
Beyond the clinical trial, teams are diving deep into correlative studies, exploring everything from neuroimaging and pseudoprogression to patient-reported outcomes.
This progress wouldn’t be possible without the vision, partnership, and generosity of the TarGeT Collaborative. A sincere thank you to this remarkable group of organisations backing this vital precision-medicine study:
• Robert Connor Dawes (RCD) Foundation
• Children’s Cancer Foundation (Australia)
• My Room Children’s Cancer Charity
• The Kids’ Cancer Project
• Mark Hughes Foundation (Beanie for Brain Cancer)
• The Cure Starts Now Cancer Foundation (Australia and US)
To our dedicated investigators, research teams, and hospital staff: thank you for your collective effort in bringing TarGeT to life and expanding access for families.

04/22/2026

Today is the Day

Registration closes tonight.

We are so close to a full course, and every spot represents more support for kids and families facing childhood cancer.

👉 If you’ve been on the fence, this is your moment

And if you can’t be there in person…

👉 Your donation still makes a real impact

💥 https://events.thecurestartsnow.org/sydneys-band-of-gold-golf-tournament/

Through The Cure Starts Now, we are funding research that is changing what’s possible.

💛💙Let’s show up. However you can.

04/22/2026

We’re Down to the Final Spots ⛳

At this point, it’s not about awareness anymore…
it’s about deciding to be there.

We are just days away, and only a couple of spots remain.

This tournament means something deeper.

It’s for the kids still fighting.
For families who don’t get to walk away from this.
For the ones who need more than “we’ll see.”

Through The Cure Starts Now, your support is directly funding research that is changing what’s possible.

👉 If you’re in, now is the time to register
👉 Don’t wait for Wednesday… these spots will be gone

And if you can’t make it…

👉 You can still stand with these families by making a donation

https://events.thecurestartsnow.org/sydneys-band-of-gold-golf-tournament/

Let’s not leave anything on the table this week.

03/12/2026

What if every small business gave a little?

One company in our community is doing exactly that.

Level King is donating $25 from every transaction to The Cure Starts Now North Texas to help fund childhood cancer research.

Recently, a customer saw this and responded with the message in this post.

“I think the donations to cancer research is a great idea.
God bless y’all for that.”

That response says everything.

People notice when businesses choose to care.

Small acts add up.
One transaction.
One customer.
One step closer to a cure.

Thank you, Level King, for helping lead the way.

If you are a business owner and would like to support childhood cancer research through a simple partnership like this, we would love to connect.

💙 In memory of Sydney. Fighting for the future of our children.