Dear Friends,
Thank you again for your generous support of the inaugural 4702 for GBM fundraiser at Head of the Charles in 2024! We are thrilled to share that we will be racing again this October.
You might be wondering – why again?
We have a few why’s that we’d like to share with you:
Because GBM is Still Taking Too Many Lives
In the last four years, as we continue to process the grief of Dad’s death, we’ve known and walked with others who have lost their lives to GBM. It is an aggressive and devastating disease, and we are racing to raise awareness and to support research that is crucial to improving GBM outcomes.
Because It’s A Unique Way To Honor Dad
Dad loved Head of the Charles! In the years since he’s passed, the regatta feels different, like a massive piece is missing. Yet, at the same time, the memories flood back when we set foot on the shores, and glide across that water. The Charles connects us to the sport that Dad loved in the place where many of us fell in love with rowing too.
Because It Brings Us Together As Siblings
We shoved off the dock for the 2024 regatta to the sounds of cheers from family, friends, and strangers. As we made our way to the basin, the outside noise quieted, and all 9 of us began to feel just how special this moment would be. As we built momentum throughout the race, we weren’t just siblings, we were a team. James, our coxswain, encouraged us with some “Dad-ism’s” as we entered the “pain cave” — and you’d better believe that we were smiling despite our burning legs and lungs We’re so grateful for the opportunity to come together and be reminded so poignantly of the strength we have in each other.
Because the Impact Far Outweighs The Effort
Running a fundraiser like this is no easy task: squeezing erg sessions between jobs and hobbies, flying across the country, juggling social media content, PR outreach, and fundraising calls with full time jobs/school; screaming muscles and blistered hands. Yes, there is some sacrifice. But what stuck with us in 2024 was not all the effort, but rather how catalytic our efforts were. We met and heard from so many people whose stories intersected with ours, whether or not they knew Dad. We’re humbled and grateful that our efforts can make a meaningful impact on the community touched by GBM each year.
If any of these why’s resonate,
we’d be ever so grateful for your support this year! We have yet again set an ambitious fundraising goal of $50,000, an amount that can have tangible impact on research projects through the Glioblastoma Research Organization. With your generosity in 2024, the nearly $40,000 raised was able to launch Project Build On through the GBMRO, and we look forward to seeing the impact that your donations will have this year.
Are you with us?
Donate here
With love,
The Hopkins Siblings
Madeline, Emma, Benjamin, Lucia, Abigail, Lily Anna, Asher, Thomas, and James
4702 for GBM 