Pinky Swear Foundation
Supporting Families of Children with Brain Tumors
Humor to Fight the Tumor is proud to partner with the Pinky Swear Foundation to provide essential financial and emotional support to Minnesota families with children diagnosed with brain tumors. Through its Orange Envelope and All-Star Fund programs, Pinky Swear helps cover critical expenses such as housing, transportation, groceries, and other urgent needs—offering families much-needed relief during an incredibly challenging time.
The Orange Envelope Program offers immediate support at the time of diagnosis or relapse, including gas and grocery gift cards, messages of encouragement, and a connection to the Pinky Swear community. The All-Star Fund provides sustained support by directly paying bills and covering basic living costs to help families maintain stability throughout treatment.
In 2024 & 2025, funding from Humor to Fight the Tumor helped Pinky Swear support more than fourteen Minnesota families facing a pediatric brain tumor diagnosis. These funds provided vital stability, reduced stress, and allowed parents to focus on their child’s care without the overwhelming pressure of financial strain.
To learn more, visit www.pinkyswear.org.
Gilda’s Club
Providing Emotional Support for Brain Tumor Patients and Caregivers
Humor to Fight the Tumor is proud to fund Gilda’s Club Minnesota’s Brain Tumor Support Group and related programming throughout 2025. This vital program offers specialized social and emotional support for individuals living with brain tumors and their caregivers, addressing the unique challenges they face—including cognitive changes, identity shifts, and end-of-life concerns.
Led by licensed mental health professionals, the support group meets monthly and is available both in-person and virtually, making it accessible to participants across the state, including those in underserved communities. In addition to these monthly sessions, participants benefit from quarterly educational and lifestyle programming designed to promote wellness and reduce isolation.
With our support, Gilda’s Club will continue delivering high-quality care and aims to expand participation by 10% in 2025. Outcomes will be measured through attendance tracking and participant feedback, ensuring the program continues to meet evolving needs. Humor to Fight the Tumor is honored to be recognized as the program’s 2025 funder and to stand alongside Gilda’s Club in ensuring no Minnesotan impacted by brain cancer faces the journey alone.
To learn more, visit www.gildasclubtwincities.org.
Angel Foundation
Providing Emergency Financial Relief to Cancer Patients
Humor to Fight the Tumor is honored to support the Angel Foundation, a Minnesota-based nonprofit that provides vital financial assistance to adult cancer patients and their families. Through its Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) program, the organization helps cover essential needs like housing, food, and utilities—easing the burden for patients navigating both a cancer diagnosis and financial hardship.
Originally founded in 2001 by Margie Sborov after witnessing patients forced to choose between medical care and basic needs, the EFA program now serves as a gateway to broader services. In 2025, Humor to Fight the Tumor’s support will help the Angel Foundation assist 40–50 brain cancer patients in the Twin Cities, offering immediate relief and the opportunity to focus on healing rather than survival.
Beyond emergency aid, the Angel Foundation offers a range of programs including Camp Angel, Angel Packs, Financial Cancer Care, and Meals in Motion—providing holistic, wraparound support for families facing cancer.
To learn more, visit www.mnangel.org.
University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital
Easing Financial Stress for Families Facing Brain Cancer
Humor to Fight the Tumor is proud to support the University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital Cancer Care Program in providing emergency financial assistance to brain cancer patients and their families. Brain cancer treatment often involves extended hospital stays, forcing many parents—especially single parents or those with limited resources—to take unpaid leave and face severe financial hardship.
Our funding helps cover essential expenses such as parking, gas, rent or mortgage payments, utilities, medical bills, groceries, and childcare—needs that are often not fully met by existing assistance programs. The hospital’s social workers oversee the distribution of funds using standardized criteria to ensure support reaches those with the most urgent needs. Payments are made directly to vendors to cover critical costs, offering families immediate and tangible relief.
By reducing these financial burdens, the program helps families focus on healing and recovery, rather than being overwhelmed by mounting expenses. Humor to Fight the Tumor is honored to help ensure that families navigating a brain cancer diagnosis receive compassionate and practical support when they need it most.
To learn more, visit www.mhealthfairview.org.