Perseverance Pledge

In the coming years, an explosion of powerful new technologies will radically tilt the scales against cancer. By making a Perseverance Pledge — a recurring monthly donation — you’re sustaining the research needed for chordoma patients to be near the front of the line to benefit from these advances. Meanwhile, you’re helping those facing chordoma today get the best care possible.

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When it comes to our shared quest for better chordoma treatments, those who make a Perseverance Pledge are among our most committed supporters. By making a monthly gift of any amount, you’re enabling us to more aggressively fund research until a cure is found.

To make a Perseverance Pledge, simply select the amount that you wish to give each month and your card will be charged monthly until you decided to stop. You won’t have to worry about how much you’ve given or when you last gave. And you’ll know that each month you’re helping us persevere in the search for a cure.

Why Perseverance: Justin’s story

Watch this video on YouTube »

Justin Straus was diagnosed with chordoma in 2002 at the age of seven. Despite his young age, Justin was determined to do everything he could to help advance the search for a cure. At the Second International Chordoma Research Workshop in 2008, he delivered a powerful speech describing his journey with chordoma and his wish for a cure to be found in time to save his life. With wit and maturity beyond his years, he urged researchers to work together so that more progress could be made in less time. Justin’s presence lit up the room and made a lasting impression on everyone.

Soon after his speech, on the eve of his 13th birthday, Justin was rushed to the hospital because of symptoms brought on by the progression of his tumor. Over the following weeks, the tumor robbed him of many of his faculties, including his ability to see and speak. Just before his final decline, Justin made a heroic stand against his disease, communicating his final message in the only way he could, by scrawling across his whiteboard: perseverance. 

We persevere to carry on Justin’s fight. We persevere so that one day lives will no longer be cut short by this horrific disease. We persevere because we believe a cure is within our reach.

Perseverance Pledgers share why they give

Our supporters make Perseverance Pledges for many different reasons:

• “Without funding, there’d be no research to help understand the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chordoma. As a patient, I feel a sense of responsibility to help. The research is ongoing, so the donations should be as well.” – Joan Funk, chordoma patient
• “My husband, Jack, died of chordoma in 2011. When he was diagnosed in 2005, there were few treatments available. Because of the Foundation, there’s so much more for patients today.” – Shelba Barnes, spouse of a late chordoma patient
• “The Foundation is a wonderful resource, especially when first diagnosed with this very scary and rare disease. We have a monthly donation because we know how lost we felt; through donations like ours, the Foundation can continue to help other people in their own scary time. It’s a blessing to be able to give, no matter how small.” – Julie Shumaker-Harvey, spouse of a chordoma survivor
• “I made a Perseverance Pledge with the knowledge that all of the modest donations add up.” – Naomi Nemtzow, mom of a chordoma survivor
• “I want to support those who find new ways to help patients. I find it so much easier to ‘set it and forget it’ than write a big check, and I want to make sure I’m giving on an ongoing basis.” – Connor Tyrrell, chondrosarcoma survivor
• “We’ve learned so much about chordoma and how best to manage it from the Foundation. I can’t imagine not having it in our lives, which is why we support you. When it comes to funding research and doing what it takes to find a cure, many small donations add up over time to make a huge difference. As Ben Franklin said, ‘Watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves.’ We believe the Chordoma Foundation is our best hope for a cure.” – Laura Soule, spouse of a chordoma survivor
• “I first heard of chordoma when my son, Todd, was diagnosed seven years ago. After his treatment, I set up a small monthly contribution to the Foundation as a way to help and stay involved.” – Nancy Balf, mom of a chordoma survivor
• “I support the Chordoma Foundation because a cure needs to be found and my donations can help. My sister has chordoma, and I want to support her and all those who are also struggling.” – Andy Rothstein, brother of a chordoma survivor

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