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John Risner Rejoins Children's Tumor Foundation as President |
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New York, Feb. 6, 2012 – The Children’s Tumor Foundation Board of Directors announced today that John W. Risner has been named President and Chief Executive Officer, succeeding George T. Orfanakos who resigned in late January. Mr. Risner served on the Foundation's Board and was Treasurer from 2002-2004. In 2004, he became the full time Executive Director and was named President in 2005, a position he held until stepping down in January 2011.
“I am excited that John has agreed to rejoin the Foundation,” commented Board Chairperson Stuart Match Suna, “The Foundation is in a strong position with 2011 setting a new high in revenue and research funding. The Board joins me in welcoming John back to continue our progress, and wishing George well in his new endeavors.”
The Foundation’s research programs have helped fund many of the key advances in neurofibromatosis (NF) research from the identification of the genes that cause NF, to the development of cell lines and models for preclinical testing, and now the translation of basic research into pilot clinical trials. “It is gratifying that I have been able to be a part of great progress in NF research, and in particular, helping to create and fund new programs such as the NF Preclinical Consortium. I wish John and the Foundation quick success in their search for an end to NF,” said outgoing President Orfanakos.
Mr. Risner commented, “I am honored that the Board has trusted me to return to lead the Foundation. The acceleration in progress over the last five years has been tremendous but there is so much more to do before we achieve our shared goal of ending neurofibromatosis through research. I accept this challenge with every confidence we will be successful in finding treatments for all the complications of NF.”
Before joining the Foundation in 2004, Risner served as Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager at AIG/SunAmerica Global Investments, where he focused on high yield and convertible bond investments. Risner’s career includes tenures with The Calvert Group, Bankers Trust Company, and Value Line Asset Management.
Currently, Risner serves on the Board of Directors at NII Holdings, where he is a member of the Audit Committee, and Accuride Corporation, where he is Lead Independent Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee. Risner holds a B.S. from the University of Maryland, an MBA from Fordham University, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
About the Children’s Tumor Foundation
The Children's Tumor Foundation is a 501(C)(3), not-for-profit organization and recipient of a four-star rating from Charity Navigator. The Foundation is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the millions of people worldwide living with neurofibromatosis (NF), a term for three distinct disorders: NF1, NF2 and schwannomatosis. NF causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body and can lead to blindness, bone abnormalities, cancer, deafness, disfigurement, learning disabilities, and excruciating and disabling pain. NF is under-recognized and underdiagnosed yet affects more people than cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Huntington’s disease combined. The Children’s Tumor Foundation funds critical research to find treatments for NF. In addition to benefitting those who live with NF, this research is shedding new light on several forms of cancer, brain tumors, bone abnormalities and learning disabilities, ultimately benefiting the broader community. For more information, please visit www.ctf.org.
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Racing4Research at the Rolex 24 at Daytona! |
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On January 28-29, Racing4Research participated in the 2012 Rolex 24 at Daytona event. Huge thanks to our drivers, Ryan Eversley, Daniel Graeff, Ron Yarab, and Justin Bell, and our NF Heroes for helping to "Fuel the Cure!" To see more photos, please click here.
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Bill Wells, an NF Hero's Hero |
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On December 17, 2011, Bill Wells ran 31 miles and raised $45,000 in the Seth’s Fat Ass 50k race in Springfield, MA, in honor of Celia LaBarbera who lives with NF2. Below is Bill's account of this experience.
"I came across Celia LaBarbera’s situation a few years ago when I happened to see a flier regarding an Oktoberfest in Celia’s honor. After writing a story for The Republican about the fundraiser, I knew that I wanted to do something significant to help Celia and her family. However, I didn’t know what to do.
"In December of 2010, on a whim, and out of shape, at the last second, I entered the Seth’s Fat Ass 50K in Springfield, MA. I ran halfway: 15.5 miles. That night at a fire pit in my backyard, I realized how I could help Celia and her family: I decided I was going to run in the 2011 Seth’s Fat Ass 50K, and I was going to try to raise $50,000 for research toward neurofibromatosis (NF).
"Starting on Jan. 2, 2011, I ran every other day throughout the year. With the exception of the two weeks I was injured that autumn, I never missed a day of running.
"On the morning of the race, Dec. 17, 2011, I didn’t know how the race was going to go. But I was highly motivated, and with Celia and her family at the race, I told myself I was going to keep moving forward as long as I could stand.
"I felt very good through the halfway point, but my thighs started to get tight around mile 20 and I grew concerned some old injuries were going to pop up. At mile 22 a hill threw a pretty good punch and slowed me down. I then asked Celia if she prayed. Celia, who was riding on the back of her family’s two-seat bike, said she did. I told her I needed strength and I asked her to say a prayer for me.
"A mile later, feeling rejuvenated, I told Celia her prayer was working. She smiled, and at that point I knew I was going to finish. I never walked, completing the 31 miles in 4:58:18.
"More importantly, through many generous donations, mostly from strangers, we’ve raised close to $45,000."
To donate to Bill's fundraising site, please click here.
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Nick Gilbert Featured on FOX Sports Ohio |
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FOX Sports Ohio and the Cleveland Cavaliers recently produced a short television spot about Nick Gilbert, the current Children's Tumor Foundation Ambassador! Please click here to view the video.
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Children's Tumor Foundation Receives Top Charity Rating for 3rd Year in a Row |
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The Children's Tumor Foundation is pleased to announce that it has been honored with a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest and most-utilized independent evaluator of philanthropies. This is the 3rd year in a row that Charity Navigator has given the Foundation its highest ranking. Less than 10% of charities rated have received 4-stars for three consecutive years, which places the Foundation in prestigious company.
"Receiving four out of a possible four stars indicates that your organization adheres to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities, and consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way," wrote Ken Berger, president and chief executive officer of Charity Navigator, in a letter to the Foundation, "This 'exceptional' designation differentiates the Children's Tumor Foundation from its peers and demonstrates to the public that it is worthy of their trust and their donors' hard-earned dollars."
George Orfanakos, president of the Children's Tumor Foundation, stated, "Being recognized by an organization as highly regarded as Charity Navigator is extremely validating. We expect the highest standards from ourselves and it is encouraging to know that we are succeeding. This is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and efficiency of our scientific community, our generous donor base, our Board of Directors, our volunteers, and our staff, all of whom are united in the common goal of ending NF. At the Children's Tumor Foundation, we are committed to investing our precious resources efficiently and effectively into neurofibromatosis (NF) research, public education, and patient support. This 4-star rating for the third consecutive year affirms our practice of financial transparency and elevates us into the realm of the nation's most respected philanthropies. This is a community that we are proud to be a part of, and a status that we plan to sustain."
Forbes, Business Week, and Kiplinger's Financial Magazine, among others, have profiled and celebrated Charity Navigator's unique method of applying data-driven analysis to the charitable sector. Statistics show that users of Charity Navigator's site gave more than they planned to after viewing Charity Navigator's findings, and in fact, it is estimated that last year Charity Navigator influenced approximately $10 billion in charitable gifts.
To view the Children's Tumor Foundation's Charity Navigator page please click here.
To view the letter acknowledging the Foundation's rating please click here (pdf).
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