ELWOOD — The sign on the way into town said it all, “Fight Child Brain Cancer.”
The 11th annual Team Jack Foundation Radiothon, presented by The Home Agency, was held in Elwood on Thursday, Sept. 28.
Per the Team Jack Foundation, this is their second largest fundraiser.
Last year, the 10th Annual Radiothon raised over $185,000 pushing the ten-year total to over $1,000,000 raised.
This year’s radiothon is presented by The Home Agency in Elwood for the tenth straight year, led by Jim Baldonado since 1986.
Baldonado has said The Home Agency became involved after he saw the Nebraska Cornhusker spring game, in 2013 when Jack Hoffman ran for a touchdown.
After seeing this, The Home Agency has been involved in the Team Jack annual radiothon.
Baldonado said, “The Team Jack Radiothon is a great way for everyone to help make a difference for kids with brain cancer. In the past ten years, we have gotten to know so many the families, and it hurts to see their young children fighting this disease. Anything that we can do at The Home Agency, BHA Real Estate, and our family, that’s what we want to do.”
Lindsey Nemetz, Team Jack Foundation’s Director of Marketing said in the 11th year of the radiothon, while the basic structure is the same, the stories from the families of those effected by cancer are ever changing.
The radiothon features stories from families affected by child brain cancer as well as interviews with special guests who support the cause.
She said those families who have suffered loss from cancer are still out advocating for further funds to continue research.
Nemetz noted that this year, The Home Agency, the Jim and Sharri Baldonado family, and BHA Real Estate are sponsored the new Team Jack Cash Giveaway. Tickets were $100 each with three chances to win cash: $20,000, $5,000, and $2,500.
Nemetz said Team Jack wants everyone to know how thankful they are for the sponsors and the donors across the state. She also especially noted the families who continue to put themselves out there to share their stories.
One of those families on site in Elwood was Jessica Gooder’s of Phillipsburg, Kan.
In May of 2013, during the last week of her second-grade year, Jessica Gooder found herself suddenly feeling sick.
An MRI was quickly scheduled and later, Gooder was diagnosed with Grade 4 Glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer.
After surgery, 33 days of radiation and chemotherapy, Gooder finished treatment in 2014.
Lynette Ehm said they learned of Team Jack’s work after Gooder was diagnosed and got involved with the organization. In 2015, Gooder would share her story publicly.
Ehm said it was important for their family to give back to everything the other families are going through.
This was the fourth radiothon Gooder had been a part of, taking part in events in Lincoln, Hastings and Elwood.
Gooder is now 18 but suffered a setback in late 2022 when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
“Through it all, Jessica has shown great bravery and she and her family continue to advocate for this terrible disease,” Team Jack stated.
Through it all, Gooder was present at the radiothon on Thursday, ready to share her story.
About Team Jack Foundation
The Team Jack Foundation’s mission is to raise research funds and awareness for childhood brain cancer. The disease affects nearly 5,000 children each year and is the leading cancer cause of death in children.
Each year less than four percent of U.S. federal funding is solely dedicated to childhood cancer research, with even less spent on childhood brain cancer research.
One area of focus for the Foundation is the development of a childhood brain tumor program in Omaha.
Team Jack has committed $6.5 million toward the program at UNMC and Children’s Hospital & Medical Center that funds clinical and laboratory research, pain management in cancer, and education to make an impact for regional children affected by brain cancer.
