Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation

It was a cold day in Montreal when I looked into Justin and Jordans (Lauren's brothers) eyes to ask for permission to marry Lauren. They both were elated, however, behind their smiles was a devilish plan to make me "work for it". 

A contract was drawn up by Justin and Jordan which outlined the details involved in being allowed to marry their sister.  After some minor negotiations, a contract was finalized and 3 signatures in blood (otherwise known as "pen blood") bound the contract. 

The contract outlined 18 different challenges I would have to complete prior to marrying Lauren. These included: Painting a mural in St. Laurent, eating a whole corn on the Cobb in under 30 seconds, beating Jordan & Justin in beer pong and to make an educational video on youtube. 

However, ONE (well there are actually 3) challenge remains:

TO COMPLETE A HALF MARATHON!!!

As a completely untrained, out of shape medical student I will be putting my legs on the line as I walk/jog/run/cry my way through the 21.097494 km (13.1 miles) on Saturday, August 29th, 2020. 

Although this half marathon means the world to me - as this will allow me to join the Zipkin Clan and marry Lauren - it also provides me the wonderful opportunity to go out and do some good!

WHAT GOOD YOU ASK? GREAT QUESTION!

The money raised to help me marry Lauren will all go towards the amazing research that is going on at the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research foundation. Their mission is to fund research to discover cures and more effective treatments for carcinoid, pancreatic, and related neuroendocrine cancers. The funds raised will be going towards this extremely important research to find treatment for these difficult to treat cancers. This organization is near and dear to my heart and if you would like to chat more about why I chose this organization feel free to personal message me :) I would like to thank you in advance for any and all donations!

DONATIONS:

18$ Donation - Will stop and do 18 sit-ups on the run 
36$ Donation - Will stop and do 36 jumping jacks on the run 
50$ Donation - Will do a 30 second sprint (on video so you can see my suffering) 
100$ Donation - Half a km I will do backwards (lol, this is silly, open to other suggestions)
300$ Donation - Will take a shot of tequila (also lol)
Other denomination -  Open to suggestions (within reason - i.e., doesn't kill me)

Thank you so much for supporting my love for Lauren and this amazing charity! 

For more information: https://netrf.org/

Other challenges:

Challenge # 8 (create a mural on St Laurent) and Challenge # 18 (propose to Lauren in an epic manner)
Challenge #15 (make an educational youtube video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g57LfMFghJo

Saturday, November 10 is NET Cancer Day This is a very personal day for me, as Lilly, my 17-year-old daughter, was diagnosed with neuroendocrine (NET) cancer in July. After countless trips to U of M for appointments, tests, and scans, Lilly underwent surgery in late August to remove approximately 1/3 of her liver and several lymph nodes that contained tumors. She spent most of September of her senior year of high school either in the hospital or at home recovering.  There is nothing, NOTHING, worse than seeing your baby in pain and terrified, and not being able to do or say anthing to take it away.   Lilly is doing well now, but doctors can offer no insight into if or when the cancer will return. She currently receives monthly shots to prevent growth of any cancer cells that may still be in her body; she will need regular MRIs to check for cancer for the rest of her life.  The uncertainty of the future is unbearable at times. Lilly is raising money that will go directly to the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation. She is selling zebra stickers at school (the cancer ribbon for NET cancer is zebra stripes), and I started this Go Fund Me campaign in her honor. All money raised will go to the  Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation's Spark Hope campaign, which is trying to "raise a total of $10 million to accelerate the search for more treatment options and cures for this poorly understood cancer." The campaign is "fueled by a challenge grant,"  which means that another foundation has agreed to match every dollar raised.  You can find out more about the Foundation and the Spark Hope campaign here:  https://netrf.org/donate/ To view the video Lilly made for her school fundraiser,  go to:  https://www.wevideo.com/view/1237112409 Lilly also made this video: https://www.instagram.com/p/BqBPJMCD8NF/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=xwf66n7kmo3l Thank you for your time and donation.

A neuroendocrine tumor is an abnormal growth that originates in specialized cells of the neuroendocrine system which are similar to nerve cells and hormone-producing cells. Such tumors can be cancerous or noncancerous and are most commonly found in the lungs, pancreas, and intestines. Because of the rarity of these tumors, treatment (which can include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation) is very difficult and often unsuccessful, particularly if found at a late stage.

Through my connections in the medical field, I came across the case of a 16 year old girl in the Middle East  who was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor and was undergoing treatment. I reached out to her via social media and we conversed regularly, talking about the differences in culture and life in our homes. This summer, after a long battle and multiple rounds of surgery and chemotherapy, she unfortunately passed away from progression of her tumor.

It is in her honor that I decided to start this campaign for the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation. Any donation will further advance research and hopefully result in the eventual eradication of this obstacle from people's lives. 

Donate today to save a life! Any amount is appreciated!

Jena Callen-Scholz is a beautifully resilient, tough-as-nails woman, battling a rare condition known as NET Cancer.  Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) is a term for a group of unusual cancers which develop from cells in the endocrine system. This can affect people of any age, and can be slow-growing or very aggressive.

We want to extend to everyone the opportunity,  by opening this page, to support her and others fighting this silent and rare form of cancer. 

All proceeds will be given directly to the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation.  

By donating to this page, you will be helping to fund research that will further help those who are afflicted with NET Cancer, and possibly help to find a cure for this uncommon and aggressive disease.  

Your donation = more research.
More research = more answers.
More answers = more lives saved!