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Logo for Bianka's Butterfly Fund for PNET Brain Tumor Research

Hero Fund
Bianka's Butterfly Fund for PNET Brain Tumor Research

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Bianka loved Butterflies! She was beautiful but short lived just like butterflies (they live 2-4 weeks). Bianka had a rare and highly malignant brain tumor called primitive neuroectodermal tumor or PNET. The goal of Bianka's Hero Fund is to raise funds exclusively for PNET research grants.
2024
$358
Funds Raised in 2024
$210,938
Total Funds Raised
Since 2015

The Story Behind This Hero Fund

Bianka Kucelin will always be a shining light to all who have known her, beloved by family, friends and her whole community. She touched us all with her grace, joy, spunk, beauty and spirit.

Bianka was diagnosed at age 4 with a malignant brain cancer called supratentorial neuroectodermal brain tumor or sPNET mid February 2014. She completed six months of high dose chemo treatment with stem cell transplant and enjoyed several cancer-free months with family and friends, but in May 2015 an MRI revealed the tumor had returned. Bianka started radiation treatment of June 9th, 2015 but the same day had a tumor bleed into her brain and was sent home on hospice. Bianka really wanted to go to Disney, on this Earth, how she said, and her desire for her dream to come true kept her alive and she recovered from the bleed by fully absorbing the blood in her brain in less than two weeks. We decided that we wanted to take Bianka to Disney World instead of continuing radiation and are so happy that her dream indeed came true.

Bianka spent her last few weeks surrounded by loved ones, meeting princesses, going on motorcycle rides, and feeling the beachy sand between her toes. She died peacefully at home with her family on July 29, 2015. Her incredible spirit has forever transformed all around her.

Bianka's tumor tissue was donated for research to two organizations and research teams: Dr. Anna Janss's team at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta who was Bianka's wonderful oncologist and Dr. Annie Huang's team at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. We are especially excited that Dr. Huang received the viable cells and will be able to grow cell lines, only second PNET cell line in the whole research community. Hopefully Bianka's tumor will bring some research discoveries and new therapies for this very malignant, rare, and deadly tumor.

We would like to fund at least one research grant and will need over $100,000 to do that. The funds will go directly for researching PNET brain tumors. Thank you for your support in our efforts to find a cure for the future generations.

Highlights & Happenings

  • Your Support Means So Much

    These friends and family members helped us raise funds for childhood cancer research in honor of Bianka! See the 2015-2024 list. 

  • Bliss and Blessings for Bianka

    Get health and wellness tips, see adorable children's fashion, and follow the the Kucelin's journey with grief on their Instagram page.

  • What You Should Know About Childhood Cancer

    Childhood cancer affects thousands of kids and families around the world every year. This infographic shows a few realities you should know about.

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Where does the money go?

Donations made to the Bianka's Butterfly Fund for PNET Research have generously supported the 2019 grant to the St. Baldrick's-SU2C Cancer Pediatric Dream Team. 

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is guided by a Scientific Advisory Committee, comprised of leading experts in the childhood cancer community, to ensure that every dollar makes the greatest impact for kids with cancer.

 

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Who's involved

These people make us smile - they’re the doers and money-raisers on behalf of Bianka's Butterfly Fund. They’re shaving their heads, hosting events, starting fundraisers and more to make childhood cancer research possible.

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Get Involved Your Own Way

  • Create An Event

    Start your own St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event to support our Hero Fund! A dedicated staff member will guide you every step of the way—and you’ll have fun doing something great for kids with cancer.

    Start an event

  • Be a Shavee

    Register to shave your head and support our Hero Fund at any St. Baldrick’s event worldwide! No event nearby? Go virtual and shave anytime, anywhere.

    Register Now

  • Start a Fundraiser

    Not into head-shaving? No problem! Start a fundraiser for our Hero Fund doing something you love—bike a marathon, host a bake sale, anything goes!

    Start a fundraiser

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Private events are for people at the company, organization, school, etc., where the event is taking place.