In 2009, Debbie and Leon Pantenburg lost their 15-year old son, Jimmy, to brain cancer.
Gary Bonacker, a family friend and founder of the renowned Tour des Chutes cycling event in Oregon helped expand the beneficiaries to include local children with cancer, dedicating this effort to Jimmy.
In 2014 Gary and Debbie approached friends Wade Miller, MBA and Dr. Dale Svendsen, both respected professionals in pediatric healthcare, to help secure funding for an official nonprofit. Together with event and corporate sponsors, Pediatric Foundation was born.
Wade Miller is President of Pediatric Foundation and CEO of Metropolitan Pediatrics in Portland. Debbie Pantenburg serves as volunteer Executive Director and the patient facing contact for the group. Gary Bonacker, deceased, is remembered for his unwavering courage in the face of his own cancer and commitment to others
Please reach us at info@thepediatricfoundation.org if you cannot find an answer to your question.
The Pediatric Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization providing direct financial support to families in Oregon who have a child with cancer and must travel to receive treatments.
The Pediatric Foundation provides funds in the form of gift cards to families for their use while traveling. (gas, food, lodging) We also connect them with personal services like auto repair, tires, and in some cases, snow removal, lawn maintenance, or pet sitting while they are away for treatment. We help pay for any expenses associated with this type of travel.
The top need we have is fundraising so more families can be served. You are welcome to connect us with your contact at corporations who might add us to their giving list. And we are looking for event production companies to add P.F. to their group of nonprofit beneficiaries.
Send a message through the Contact Us page on this site. We will interview the family and connect with their medical provider or social worker for more information to get started.
Almost 100% of it! That's a great question and one we're extremely proud to answer. We're an all-volunteer organization with low expenses related to technology, bookkeeping, and gift card fees. So most every dollar you give goes right into the families' hands.
Your support and contributions will enable us to serve families throughout Oregon.