Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor

Since 2004

Tag: Medulloblastoma

  • Help find the home run cure for cancer with Grant’s Wolf Pack

    Help find the home run cure for cancer with Grant’s Wolf Pack

    by Julia Wolf

    Loveland, Ohio – My name is Julia and this year I’m turning 12. My birthday is exciting but also hard because my twin brother, Grant, isn’t here to celebrate with me. Four years ago, he passed away from Medulloblastoma, a kind of brain cancer. He was my other half, my best friend, and I miss him every single day.

    I think about all the things we should have done together—first days of school, family vacations, and cheering each other on at activities. There’s so much he didn’t get to do, and that’s why I’m writing to you.

    Every year since passed, I’ve worked to raise money to fund a research grant in his memory. It’s my way of making sure that other families don’t have to go through what mine did. I’m proud to say that, thanks to our amazing community, Grant’s Wolf Pack, we’ve been able to make a difference every year.

    This year, I’m asking for $12 donations in honor of our 12th birthday. Every dollar raised will go toward finding better treatments, helping kids like Grant and bringing us closer to a cure.

    If you can, I’d love for you to join “Grant’s Wolf Pack” by donating $12 (or whatever you can) and helping us keep Grant’s memory alive. Together, we can give other kids the chance to grow up and do all the things my brother couldn’t.

    Thank you for reading my letter and for being part of something so important to me. It means so much to my family.

    With love,

    Julia

    P.S. If you’d like to donate, you can do so at GrantForGrant.com Thank you for being part of our pack!

  • Loveland Magazine at the The Cure Starts Now Gala

    Loveland Magazine at the The Cure Starts Now Gala

    Adam Ploof, Cassie Mattia, Ava Mattia, and David Miller at the Cure Starts Now Gala on March 9.

    Last Friday, Loveland Magazine was invited to The Cure Starts Now Gala, which took place at the Duke Energy Convention Center. Not only did we get to experience the delicious dessert theme with more than 900 wonderful people, meeting many for the first time, including cancer survivors, those who lost a loved one to cancer, and cancer research advocates.

    We couldn’t have been more grateful to have been part of such a fantastic celebration and extend our heartfelt thank you to the foundation.

    It was announced that the City of Cincinnati has single handedly raised nearly 10 million dollars towards cancer research! Loveland Magazine President and Publisher Cassie Mattia , Managing Editor David Miller, and Cassie’s guests, Adam Ploof, and Ava Mattia attended the event.

    We learned that Loveland resident Julia Wolf and the “Wolf Pack” has raised more than $200,000 for medulloblastoma cancer research.

    We can’t wait to continue to support the Cure Starts Now and Julia by adopting their mission statement!

    The Cure Starts Now’s mission is one that knows no boundaries and stops at no borders. It is an international effort of families, friends, businesses and even strangers, united in the desire to cure cancer, one child at a time. While it all started with one child, today, the inspiration is carried by us all.

    Please read more about The Cure Starts Now-Cincinnati Cares.

    ___________

    An Interview with Julia Wolf: The Wolf Pack’s “Cure Starts Now”

    Julia had been worried about how to have a birthday without her twin brother Grant by her side.

    By Cassie Mattia – Feb 8, 2023

  • DIY Fundraiser for The Cure Starts Now – GRANT FOR GRANT 2024

    DIY Fundraiser for The Cure Starts Now – GRANT FOR GRANT 2024

    Can you help me by donating $11 for our 11th birthday?

    by Julia Grant,

    Hi, this is Julia. Three years ago on January 22, my twin brother Grant died from Medulloblastoma, a type of brain cancer. It was the saddest day of my life. I miss Grant every day.

    Last year with the help of Grant’s Wolf Pack, we raised $64,000. That was enough to fund an entire research grant for Grant. This year, I want to raise enough to fund another two grants for Grant and I think we can do it.

    Our 11th birthday is on February 11th and it is our golden birthday this year. Can you help me by donating $11 for our 11th birthday? We will need a lot of people to donate, so please tell your family and friends.

    My family now knows a lot of kids with cancer. We need more research for cures and also for treatments that aren’t so hard on kids’ bodies and brains.

    All the money will go to The Cure Starts Now. 100% of the money funds brain cancer research. Thank you for remembering my brother and helping me fund a grant for Grant.

    Love,

    Julia

    Please visit Julia’s Fundraising Page and make a donation now!

    Visit Julia’s Facebook fundraising page for updates.

    ________________

    About the charity:
    The Cure Starts Now is the largest funder of DIPG research in the world and also provides research funding for other brain cancers such as medulloblastoma.  Children are diagnosed with cancer every day and The Cure Starts Now is in the forefront of finding and funding a cure. This research focuses on innovative researchers, efficient funding and effective results.

  • DIY Fundraiser for The Cure Starts Now – GRANT FOR GRANT 2024

    DIY Fundraiser for The Cure Starts Now – GRANT FOR GRANT 2024

    Can you help me by donating $11 for our 11th birthday?

    by Julia Grant,

    Hi this is Julia. Three years ago on January 22, my twin brother Grant died from Medulloblastoma, a type of brain cancer. It was the saddest day of my life. I miss Grant every day.

    Last year with the help of Grant’s Wolf Pack, we raised $64,000. That was enough to fund an entire research grant for Grant. This year, I want to raise enough to fund another two grants for Grant and I think we can do it.

    Our 11th birthday is on February 11th and it is our golden birthday this year. Can you help me by donating $11 for our 11th birthday? We will need a lot of people to donate, so please tell your family and friends.

    My family now knows a lot of kids with cancer. We need more research for cures and also for treatments that aren’t so hard on kids’ bodies and brains.

    All the money will go to The Cure Starts Now. 100% of the money funds brain cancer research. Thank you for remembering my brother and helping me fund a grant for Grant.

    Love,

    Julia

    Please visit Julia’s Fundraising Page and make a donation now!

    Visit Julia’s Facebook fundraising page for updates.

    ________________

    About the charity:
    The Cure Starts Now is the largest funder of DIPG research in the world and also provides research funding for other brain cancers such as medulloblastoma.  Children are diagnosed with cancer every day and The Cure Starts Now is in the forefront of finding and funding a cure. This research focuses on innovative researchers, efficient funding and effective results.

  • An Interview with Julia Wolf: The Wolf Pack’s “Cure Starts Now”

    An Interview with Julia Wolf: The Wolf Pack’s “Cure Starts Now”

    Loveland Magazine President and Publisher Cassie Mattia at her “Table of Discussions”.

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – “We know Grant is ‘done with cancer’ but not in the way any of us hoped for,” Sara Wolf said in 2021 after losing her son, Grant Wolf at just 7 years old to Medulloblastoma, a malignant tumor in the cerebellum region of the brain.

    Grant’s twin sister, 9-year-old Julia Wolf, has made it her mission to advocate for childhood cancer research in memory of her brother. This will be the third year that Julia’s “Grant for Grant” fundraiser will be raising money with “The Cure Starts Now” for childhood cancer research.

    Julia’s love for stuffed animals was abundantly apparent when immediately after my interview she went to sit with the sock monkey in our studio.

    Julia came up with the idea to fundraise in memory of her brother Grant at his funeral in 2021. Julia had been worried about having a birthday without Grant by her side so she brainstormed and came up with two ideas; donate stuffed dogs to kids with cancer, as she and Grant loved to play with stuffed animals together, and raise money for childhood brain cancer research. Julia’s mom loved the idea and thought what a great way to get “Grant’s Wolf Pack” involved, a group of supporters and advocates for childhood cancer research, and other cancer organizations such as The Cure Starts Now. “She set the fundraising goal at $240. We watched the total grow, and grow and grow and knew that the Grant for Grant fundraiser was going to make a big impact,” Sara said.

    Julia’s first Grant for Grant fundraiser collected $56,000 and the following year the campaign brought in $52,000.

    With Julia and Grant’s 10th birthday coming up and the third year of the Grant for Grant fundraiser in full swing, Julia has been working hard to spread awareness about childhood brain cancer. Julia’s goal this year is to raise at least $50,000 for her A Grant for Grant fundraiser by her and Grant’s birthday on February 11th.

    “Grant was really funny. He loved playing dogs and sports. He was the best twin brother,” Julia said to Loveland Magazine in a 2021 interview, “I really wanted to do something about finding a cure for cancer so that no other kid has to go through these tough times.”

    Here at Loveland Magazine, we wanted to make sure we not only continued to support Julia’s cause but also let our community of readers know how they can support the cause too, so we invited Julia into the Loveland Magazine studios for a one-on-one interview! Click below to listen to the “Send it to the Table” podcast and the on-camera interview featuring Loveland’s sweetheart, Julia Wolf!

    Listen to the “Send it to the Table” Podcast by Cassie Mattia featuring Julia Wolf

    Wolf Family Photos

    The Cure Starts Now represents something truly different – a grassroots effort dedicated to, not just fighting one cancer, but the elimination of ALL cancers. We believe as the experts do; that in order to truly cure cancer you have to focus on:
    • Those cancers that are immune to treatment.
    • Those cancers that also affect children.
    • Those cancers that are the biggest bullies with the highest death rate.

    Learn all about The Cure Starts Now in the video below!

    Learn More

    SAVE THE DATE for one of Cincinnati’s most unique auctions and the premiere fundraiser for The Cure Starts Now

    As the premiere fundraiser for The Cure Starts Now, the Once in a Lifetime Gala is one of Cincinnati’s most unique galas. Join over 900 guests as they enjoy a 3-course gourmet meal, open bar, a 400-package silent auction, a once-in-a-lifetime experience live auction, and entertainment. Please join us as we continue our battle against pediatric brain cancer and honor our cancer warriors.

    100% of the proceeds benefit The Cure Starts Now.  Thanks to events like this, The Cure Starts Now has funded $21,188,327 in pediatric cancer research and support in conjunction with our DIPG/DMG Collaborative Partners.  The proceeds will benefit The Cure Starts Now, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to finding a “home run” cure for cancer through funding of pediatric brain cancer research.

    EARLY BIRD PRICING FOR 2023 

    Receive admission to The Cure Starts Now auction, dinner, and program. Includes complementary beer, wine, and soft drinks.

    Send it to the Table

    If you have a story you would like to bring to my all-new segment, the “Table of Discussions,” where I talk about anything and everything going on locally and nationally, email me at cmattia12@gmail.com. I’d love to sit at my table with you and discuss an issue or listen to your story!

  • Today’s the day to support cancer research in memory of Grant Wolf

    Today’s the day to support cancer research in memory of Grant Wolf

    Loveland, Ohio “Today’s the day”, said Sara Dowden Wolf.

    “Grant’s leg of The Cure Starts Now Relay for Research. Wolf Pack, thank you for always stepping up and supporting us and this important cause. Nothing like waking up this morning and already being halfway to our goal… and now more than halfway,” continues Sara in her FaceBook post this morning.

    We know Grant is “done with cancer” but not in the way any of us hoped for. ?? Funding research is essential, so one day no other families have to know this pain. My Facebook feed is filled with kids and families facing the same heartbreaking path. Progress is being made, but there are still miles to go. I’m determined to keep telling his story, so he lives on and I’m so thankful to have you all to back us again and again. Let’s keep changing the world for Grant

    Grant Wolf was a Loveland School student and a kind-hearted, athletic 7-year-old boy who had Medulloblastoma. He loved any and all sports especially playing baseball, basketball, and golf.

    In September 2019, as first grade began, Grant’s parents were concerned when he was regularly vomiting in the mornings. After several appointments and referrals, he had an MRI which revealed a brain tumor. After 9 months of Medulloblastoma treatment- proton radiation and chemo, Grant’s scans were stable and he was able to enjoy a wonderful summer. Unfortunately by September 2020, his cancer had returned in his brain and spine. He began immunotherapy and more radiation but died on January 22, 2021.

    Throughout treatment, Grant bravely took on many hard things. He went through a total of 60 proton radiation treatments. Grant relearned to walk and run following brain surgery and was able to get back on the golf course with his dad and best friend several times the summer before he relapsed. He had the kindest heart and was always thinking of others.

    Grant loved to build roller coasters and sports fields out of things he found around the house. He could turn any piece of cardboard into some new game or activity. He often watched videos of all the Kings Island roller coasters and knew all about them, but didn’t want to ride any of them! Grant had a special collection of stuffed dogs who accompanied him to all his appointments.

    His big brother and twin sister were two of his very best friends. He found comfort in music and especially enjoyed Jack Johnson and Ed Sheeran.

    Grant’s strength, courage, and smile inspired many. His family and friends, known as Grant’s Wolf Pack, are determined to make a difference in cancer research in memory of Grant.

    Did you know that the moon is 238,900 miles away from the Earth?

    We want to turn those miles into donations! 
    Every $1 equals 1 mile closer to our goal, and 100% of your donations after credit card processing fees go directly to funding pediatric brain cancer research. Cancer doesn’t take a break and neither do we. There is still vital research that needs to be funded this year. 

    Want to see how we’re doing overall? Click here!

    Sara said that this is another way Loveland can support cancer research in September (Childhood Cancer Awareness Month). https://cancerfreekids.org/events-page/cancerfree-kids-100-mile-challenge/

    She said that, “Both organizations do such important work!”

  • The “Cure Starts Now” says Grant Wolf’s twin Julia Wolf

    The “Cure Starts Now” says Grant Wolf’s twin Julia Wolf

    by David Miller

    David Miller is the publisher of Loveland Magazine

    Loveland, Ohio – “We now know from The Cure Starts Now that $50,000 could fund an entire research grant in Grant’s honor,” said Grant Wolf’s mom Sara. “Pretty wonderful we are so close to that after two days.”

    At Grant’s funeral, his 7-year-old twin sister Julia really wanted to tell Sara an idea that she came up with to celebrate their birthday. “She’s been worried about how to have a birthday without Grant here with her,” said Sara. Grant Wolf passed away on January 22 at the age of after a courageous battle with Medulloblastoma.

    That night, she shared she wanted to do two things – give stuffed dogs to kids with cancer, what she and Grant loved to play together, and raise money for brain cancer research. “She set the goal at $240 and we have watched the total grow, and grow and grow,” said Sara

    Julia Grant (Provided Photo)

    Grant had an amazing team of doctors and nurses at Cincinnati Children’s and in Augusta Georgia, but when a child relapses with Medulloblastoma, treatment options are limited, his mom said. “We don’t want this to be the story for other families in the future.”

    Julia told Loveland Magazine, “Grant was really funny. He loved playing dogs and sports. He was the best twin brother.” She says she really wanted to do something about finding a cure for cancer so that no other kid has to go through these tough times.

    “Thank you to everyone who donated. Thank you so so much,” said Julia.

    Mom added, “We are amazed at the response to her birthday fundraiser but with the love of Grant’s ‘Wolf Pack’ behind us, we shouldn’t really be surprised at all.”

    Hi this is Julia,

    In one week it is my birthday. In honor of Grant, my 7-year-old twin who passed away from brain cancer we are having a fundraiser to find a cure for cancer and give kids with cancer stuffed dogs.

    Grant loved stuffed dogs and sports. He made a great brother and friend. On February 11th it is our 8th birthday. This is my idea of what to do for Grant on our birthday.

    My mom and I bought 30 dogs to donate to Carley at Proton so she can give them to other kids with cancer like Grant.

    I am asking if you can donate $8 by our 8th birthday to remember Grant and help cure cancer too. The Cure Starts Now wants to cure brain cancer and I do too.

    Love,

    Julia

    CLICK TO DONATE NOW

    Grant Wolf passed away on January 22, 2021 at the age of 7 after a courageous battle with Medulloblastoma.

    He was the beloved son of Michael & Sara (Dowden) Wolf. Loving brother of Matthew and Julia. Cherished grandson of Steve and Joan Wolf and Stephen and Marcy Dowden. Devoted nephew of Doug and Laura Ruschman, Greg and Angie Dowden, and Chris and Lynn Dowden. Adored cousin of Hannah, Emily, Luke, Marshall, Maggie, and Colin.

    Grant never met a sport he did not like. He was often found in his driveway or front yard playing baseball or basketball with his brother or on the golf course with his dad. He and his twin sister shared a love of stuffed dogs, and they have quite the collection. His mom has been his constant comfort and companion to countless hospital stays and appointments. He loved building roller coasters, golf courses, and sports fields out of any materials that he could find around the house. Grant’s smile and bravery even in the toughest of times this past 16 months have inspired many to find joy in challenging times and to never give up. 

    Family and friends visited the family from 5-8 PM on Tuesday, January 26 at St. Columban Catholic Church in Loveland.  

    Mass of Christian Burial was private at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery. The Mass can be viewed HERE.

    A procession to Gate of Heaven from St. Columban traveled through Downtown Loveland to Loveland Madeira Road. Hundreds of friends, including Grant’s teachers, his Principal, and fellow students gathered throughout the town, many at the Loveland Primary and Elementary Campus where Grant went to school.