On Monday, Redmond-based Chris Elliott Fund (CEF) will launch a new EndBrainCancer Initiative at the Plateau Club in Sammamish as part of its 14th Annual Chris Elliott Fund Educational & Celebrity Golf Tournament and “Brains Matter” Awareness Auction & Celebration Dinner events.

Joining CEF founder and president Dellann Elliott Mydland for the launch will be keynote and inspirational speaker Michael “Wanz” Wansley and sports celebrities Jim Zorn, Nesby Glasgow, Michael Jackson, Chuck Young, Slick Watts, Cam Cleeland, Alonzo Mitz, Randall Morris and Mark Lee.

The $3.5 million, three-year initiative is designed to effect change in how brain cancer patients are treated and improve survivorship through immediate and expanded access to advanced treatment, clinical trials and critical care. A key element is increasing access to DNA sequencing/genomic profiling of tumor tissue, including the MGMT marker test, so that treatments can be matched to the specific genetic make-up of the patient’s tumor.

The initiative will also enable CEF to meet the growing demand for its services for primary and metastatic brain tumor support. Patient inquiries have increased almost tenfold in the past four years from 800 to 7,200 monthly, fueled by CEF’s enhanced online presence, its Redmond-based Patient Support Services and Call Center, a growing reputation among national industry leaders and practitioners, and strategic partnerships.

Leading up to the dinner will be a day of golf including a Hole-in-One Contest (there will be a prize of a Harley supplied by Eastside Harley), LD and KP contests, top two foursomes, a $10,000 Putting Contest and long-drive professional Vinny the “Pasta Man” Ciurluini.

The dinner will also feature the presentation of CEF’s annual HOPE and Inspiration Awards. This year’s HOPE Award recipient is Dr. Charles Cobbs, neurosurgeon and director of Ben and Catherine Ivy Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment, Swedish Neuroscience Institute in Seattle.