Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Tanner LaBeck & Melissa Tanner Horn of Tanner’s Hope.
Hi Denise Tanner LaBeck & Melissa Tanner Horn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2019, our dad, Bobby Tanner, was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, a grade 4 brain tumor. Our family traveled to MUSC in Charleston, SC, so that he could receive the best treatment. Sadly, we lost our precious dad a year to the day of his diagnosis despite the wonderful care he received. During consistent trips from the upstate to Charleston, we learned of the limited treatment options for brain tumor patients. The standard-of-care therapy has persisted since 2005, and breakthroughs are needed. Our family and friends initially became involved with national organizations raising funds for brain cancer research in honor of Bobby Tanner. After the loss of our dad, we continued to hear of others in our community fighting their brain cancer diagnosis. The “rareness” of brain cancer halted. Today, nearly 1 million people in the United States are living with a brain tumor. It’s estimated that 1,520 people in South Carolina alone will be diagnosed with a primary brain tumor or other central nervous system tumor this year. While our family had the financial means to travel for new scans and appointments with our dad’s neuro-oncologist, we realize that other South Carolinians can meet financial difficulty just trying to prolong their lives. We decided we wanted to continue to raise funds to find a cure but also help folks in our state diagnosed with brain cancer – and we founded Tanner’s Hope in 2023.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
At this starting point in our organization’s journey, our biggest obstacle includes awareness and legitimacy. There are so many non-profits that have made a name for themselves in their selected field, and it’s not easy to make contacts to let folks know who we are and what our mission is. We have been overwhelmed by the number of non-responses to our donation requests. While it’s completely understandable that not all businesses can give or donate, a simple response explaining that is so appreciated. While there aren’t specific analytics, only 10-20% of communications receive responses. It is hard not to get discouraged when so many go unanswered. The greatest thing that can come out of these touchbases is awareness if donations aren’t possible. We want people to know about Tanner’s Hope and that we are here to help those who need us.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
Our Mission for Tanner’s Hope is Raising funds & awareness for brain cancer in memory of Bobby Tanner. Providing hope and resources for those in South Carolina faced with a brain cancer diagnosis.
Our services include:
- Support. Provide financial assistance for families in South Carolina that have been touched by a brain cancer diagnosis, assisting with care or travel expenses.
- Fund Research. Provide funds to organizations focused on advanced treatments and, ultimately, a cure for brain cancer.
- Advocacy. Use our voices to fight for a cure for brain cancer, addressing critical issues affecting the brain cancer community and the need for funds allocated to find a cure.
As a new organization, we currently have two Signature Fundraising Events:
- May ~ Brain Tumor Awareness Month ~ online, silent auction.
We have had wonderful support from South Carolina businesses and national businesses with donated gift cards and goods for us to auction to fund our mission. We are always looking for new businesses to partner with to fight brain cancer with us! - Fall ~ Cars for a Cure – Fountain Inn, SC
We just completed 2023’s Cars for a Cure event on September 30!
This isn’t your average car show! Cars for a Cure is where our community shows out – a day filled with fun, cars, music, local artisan vendors, and food trucks. We had tremendous community support to power our auction and raffles that financially allowed us to help the brain cancer community.
Currently on social media, we are raising awareness for the month of November with the Tanner’s Hope Turkey Trot. All folks have to do is walk, run, ride their bike, their horses, etc – any type of activity, 30 miles in 30 days! They can show their support and brain cancer awareness by talking about their activities using #tannershopeturkeytrot. That’s it!
How do you define success?
Tanner’s hope’s ultimate success will be when there is a cure for brain cancer – and all cancers! But, in the meantime, success is measured by exactly what our mission statement says – Raising funds & awareness for brain cancer in memory of Bobby Tanner. Providing hope and resources for those in South Carolina faced with a brain cancer diagnosis. Bobby Tanner lived in the upstate of South Carolina. He was a cowboy – a rancher with the most beautiful hay fields. He was more than his diagnosis – just like every person we are helping. He was the head of our family, who loved horses, history, God, and his family. He was best friends with our mom – Linda, and the best girl dad we could ever ask for. A brain tumor or brain cancer diagnosis is so devastating; it was devastating to our family. It’s a gut punch. If we can alleviate some of the everyday concerns by providing these families some support while keeping our father’s memory alive, then that is success for the Tanner sisters.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tannershope.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/tanners_hope
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/carolinatannershope
Image Credits
Photos – Personal Photo – Tanner Sisters – Melissa (L) and Denise Additional Photos – 1. the Tanner Sisters with our mom Linda, and Denise’s Golden, Penny 2. Our ‘why’ – our father, Bobby Tanner 3. Tanner’s Hope – our wonderful volunteers at Cars for a Cure, September 2023 4. The Tanners at Give Cancer the Boot, Simpsonville, SC, 2022 5. Team SC at Race for Hope DC 5K, May 2023 6. The Tanner Sisters, Head to the Hill Advocacy Day, Washington DC, May 2023 7. Bobby Tanner with one of his beloved horses during a SC snow day.
