Dr. Shwetal Mehta
Ivy Brain Tumor Center, Barrow · PROTACs for treatment-resistant glioblastoma
Developing targeted protein degraders to attack the glioma stem cells that resist conventional therapy.
Our impact
$5M+ raised. 93% straight to research.
SSBTR keeps operations lean and hands nearly every dollar to the people doing the science. Here is exactly where it goes.
- cumulative donations since 2001
- $5M+
- raised across our events every year
- $250,000+
- of every dollar goes directly to the labs
- 93%
- beneficiary research institutions
- 5
Beneficiaries
The five institutions we fund
Barrow
Barrow Neurological Institute. One of the world's largest neurological disease treatment and research centers, in Phoenix.
Phoenix Children's
Phoenix Children's Hospital. Pediatric neuro-oncology under specialists like Dr. Ross Mangum, caring for kids with brain and spinal cord tumors.
TGen
Translational Genomics Research Institute. Genomics research turning lab discoveries into diagnostics and treatments.
NBTS
National Brain Tumor Society. The largest nonprofit dedicated to the brain tumor community in the United States.
U of A
University of Arizona Medical Research. Brain tumor research programs across the University of Arizona's medical campuses.
Checks are presented to each institution at the award ceremony every April, in front of the students who raised the money.
Researcher spotlights
The scientists your dollars reach
Dr. Ross Mangum
Phoenix Children's Hospital · Pediatric neuro-oncology
Neuro-oncologist caring for kids with brain and spinal cord tumors, and training the next generation of physicians at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and Creighton.
Dr. Michael Berens
TGen · GBM genomics and circulating tumor DNA
Pioneering circulating tumor DNA detection for brain tumors and leading glioblastoma genomics research.
National Brain Tumor Society
NBTS · Research advocacy and quality-of-life grants
Instrumental in advancing new treatments for DMG through advocacy, plus quality-of-life grants for patients and families nationwide.
Dr. Adrienne Scheck
Ketogenic metabolic therapy
First to demonstrate that ketosis enhances radiation and chemotherapy in brain tumors. Now expanding into DIPG and DMG research.
School fundraising
What each chapter has raised
On average, 50+ schools take part across Arizona, from high schools to the University of Arizona College of Medicine and Creighton University School of Medicine. Totals below are the chapters with recorded figures.
| School | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BASIS Mesa | $2,520 | $774 | $1,140 | $4,434 |
| BASIS Chandler | $170 | $250 | $1,585 | $2,005 |
| BASIS Scottsdale | $565 | $450 | $860 | $1,875 |
| Saguaro High School | $410 | $380 | $560 | $1,350 |
| Phoenix Country Day School | · | $310 | $695 | $1,005 |
| Grand Canyon University | $285 | $150 | $540 | $975 |
| Brophy College Prep | · | $110 | $335 | $445 |