![]() Michael is described by his dad as being an "affectionate tough guy with a great sense of humor." His toughness was evident in his athletic endeavors, but even more apparent in how he handled his cancer treatments. The Swifty Foundation was founded by Michael Gustafson and his parents, Patti and Al Gustafson, before he passed away at age 15, from recurrent medulloblastoma. Raising awareness on the issues surrounding pediatric cancer research and changing its landscape are the goals of the Swifty Foundation, and efforts like the Give a Hand Take a Stand Campaign increase this awareness in an interactive and personal way. Only four pennies of every federal dollar available for cancer research is used to fund pediatric cancer research. Pediatric cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children, yet research on the disease is greatly underfunded in the U.S. Before his diagnosis at age 10 of recurrent medulloblastoma, a type of brain cancer, Gustafson never lost a handstand competition at one of his gymnastics meets. ![]() ![]() Swifty Foundation's founder, Michael Gustafson, experienced this firsthand. Additionally, this diagnosis robs children of their childhood and their strength to do childish activities like handstands. A handstand symbolizes the 15,780 families' lives that are turned upside down by their child's cancer diagnosis every year. They can post their efforts on the Facebook page and Instagram page this September."Ĭreating Give a Hand Take a Stand, and more specifically, a handstand challenge, was something Swifty Foundation and GFAC wanted to do for several reasons. "So we challenge supporters to stand on their hands in September. "The Edward and Wanda Jordan Family Foundation also has financially supported the Swifty Foundation for more than four years, said Des Plaines resident Rosemary Argus, president of the Jordan Family Foundation. Too, Lacey Argus and Steffan Argus challenge everyone to do handstands to make September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.įor ideas on what to post, please visit /give-a-hand-take-a-stand/. The Des Plaines-based Edward and Wanda Jordan Family Foundation supports the Foundation in its awareness efforts.
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