The VanBibber Service Legacy works to provide individuals living with brain injury/brain cancer with trained service dogs, in-home healthcare, and fund further research for treatment options. The VanBibber Service Legacy was established by Michelle VanBibber and her children, Tyler and Helina in honor of their father, Michael VanBibber who passed away from Glioblastoma brain cancer in 2020. The name of this non-profit was chosen because of the special meaning of service to the VanBibber family- Mike and his wife, Michelle met in the Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity at Virginia Tech. The two die-hard Hokies truly lived the Virginia Tech motto- “That I May Serve.” When thinking of names for their charity, the family knew that service was Mike’s legacy. Both Mike and Michelle were active members of their community, organizing events and fundraisers for theirs and their children’s schools and extracurricular activities. Mike volunteered as a soccer, baseball, and basketball coach for many years, and the whole family was active in the Boy and Girl Scouts of America. Mike and Michelle’s passion for service was passed onto their children, and they were overjoyed to see that both Tyler and Helina joined their college chapters of Alpha Phi Omega at Western Carolina and Case Western Universities. After Mike’s passing, Michelle, Tyler, and Helina knew that the perfect way to honor Mike’s memory and pass on his legacy was to create the VanBibber Service Legacy to raise money for those suffering from brain cancer and brain injury. Following his Glioblastoma diagnosis, Mike’s family raised funds to adopt a trained service dog to assist with his balance and mobility. After his passing, the family knew that his dog's specialized training could help someone else and passed him on to another loving family dealing with the turmoil that brain injury can bring. The mission of the VanBibber Service Legacy is to raise awareness to find a cure for Glioblastoma brain cancer and to assist those living with brain injury. The organization works to raise funds to provide individuals with trained service dogs, in-home healthcare, and further research for treatment options. Despite an increase in the number of people diagnosed with brain cancer each year, there have been little advances in research and treatment over the past 30 years. We hope you will join our mission and continue to support Mike’s legacy of serving others. Donate, visit our page, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
