CANCER HAS AFFECTED TOO MANY PEOPLE WE KNOW. SO WE’RE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

It started with a partnership in 2006 when Pat Puhl and Eric Friedman met for lunch. Pat was the host of The Double Bogey Invitational (DBI), a golf tournament he planned to turn into a fundraiser.

Eric had established The MJF Fund for Cancer Research, a research fund he created in memory of his parents who both lost their battles with cancer. Eric wanted to host a charity golf outing to use as a fundraiser. After discussing the possibilities of their partnership, they agreed to co-host The DBI and raise money for cancer research.

During 2009, they realized they had built something special after raising $25,000 and selling out the golf outing and creating a “waiting list” of guests that wanted to attend. And that’s when the concept of establishing Families for a Cure was born. Eric and Pat, along with a small, motivated group of volunteers, founded Families for a Cure with the goal of uniting others impacted by the disease to raise money that will help advance cancer research and provide patient care. Our goal is to raise $1 million by 2021.

WE CREATE UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES AND BRING THE “FUN” TO FUNDRAISING.

Throughout the year, we host exciting events that unite our community of supporters to honor those fighting cancer, celebrate survivors, and remember those we’ve lost. Many of these events serve as fundraisers, providing the essential funding needed to support groundbreaking cancer research and vital patient care programs—helping us keep the promises we’ve made to make a difference

As an organization, we pride ourselves on our ability to use the money raised from these events, add it to the donations and support we receive from our business sponsors, and make the money do work that alone none of the individual support received could do. That’s the power of the family!

WE SUPPORT ALL TYPES OF CANCER PROJECTS.

The need is vast, and so is our commitment. We support a wide range of cancer projects and assist patients of all ages—kids, adults, men, women, families, friends, and colleagues—wherever they are in the world. While our primary focus is funding projects within Ohio, our reach extends globally.

Our grants are not general-use funds—anyone can contribute to those. Instead, we provide donor-designated grants, allowing us to track, measure, and share the direct impact of our supporters’ generosity.

Each year, our Board carefully reviews applications from cancer research and patient care programs to determine where our funding can make the greatest impact. To guide our decisions, we prioritize projects that:

• Have never been funded (start-up initiatives)
• Were previously funded but need support to restart
• Require funding to continue operating (may no longer exist without support)

Additionally, we offer The Allison Orlando Wood Patient Experience Grant, which provides individuals or groups affected by cancer with the opportunity to enjoy a meaningful experience. This grant is designed to help them take a break from their daily reality, celebrate life, and create lasting memories.

To learn more or apply, visit the Experience Grant page.

OUR BOARD CONSISTS OF PASSION AND EXPERTISE.

Our Board of Directors brings a diverse range of experience and skills to our organization, united by a shared commitment to making a difference. They play a vital role in shaping our mission, evaluating and selecting impactful programs, and determining which organizations to support through volunteer efforts and grants.

Additionally, our Board ensures that Families for a Cure uses its financial resources efficiently and effectively—advancing cancer research and providing meaningful patient experiences that bring hope, joy, and support to those affected by cancer.