$200,000

Local fundraiser reaches milestone from book sales and speeches to benefit Head for the Cure

KANSAS CITY, MO. (May 12, 2016) – May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month and a time to celebrate local accomplishments and the milestone achievement of local executive, entrepreneur and passionate fundraiser Harry Campbell. Campbell, CEO of Durrie Vision and an investor in several local entrepreneurial ventures, announced today that he has raised and donated more than $200,000 for the Head for the Cure Foundation (HFTC) benefitting brain cancer research. The money was raised during the last few years as a result of Campbell’s successful motivational book, Get-Real Leadership, and his approximately 100 leadership speeches to national and local business groups and corporations. Campbell chose in 2012 to donate all gross proceeds from the book and keynote speeches to HFTC. Get-Real Leadership has sold more than 4,500+ copies to date.

All this coincides with his new book, Get-Real Culture, going on sale this week. His fundraising efforts will continue with speeches centered on the new book. Campbell’s wife, Kris, a brain cancer survivor, also is a passionate fundraiser for the HFTC and its 5K Run & Walk events that have grown to 20 cities. “Team Kris Campbell” raised more than $34,000 in 2015, and more than $300,000 since their first HFTC 5K in 2004. Combined with the money raised from Get-Real Leadership, the Campbell family has raised more than $500,000 for the HFTC Foundation. 

“May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month, and Harry and Kris combined have been highly passionate in their efforts. Their energy and dedication is truly amazing,” said Matt Anthony, Head for the Cure’s president and founder, and one of the four initial partners, and longtime CEO of Kansas City-based, global marketing firm, VML. “Thanks in large part to Harry and Kris’ commitment and unmatched generosity, their contributions have helped

the overall organization raise more than $6 million for brain cancer research and program development since we started in 2003. That gives tremendous, life-affirming hope to so many brain cancer patients, survivors and their families.”

Brain Cancer is Personal

Brain cancer is very personal to the Campbell family. Twelve years ago, Campbell, remembers the phone call he received from his wife, Kris, telling him that she had a brain tumor. The good news was that it was slow growing, but the bad news was that it was inoperable. Radiation therapy in 2004, while not curing the tumor, has delayed the tumor’s growth for years. Kris continues to be active in raising hope and funds while inspiring others who have been touched by brain cancer.

For the last 10 years, the Brain Tumor Trials Collaborative (BTTC) has been the primary beneficiary of the Head for the Cure Foundation. The organization donated $500,000 in 2015 alone, and $3.5 million since 2006. The BTTC is a network of 23 medical centers led by the National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C. and including the University of Kansas Medical Center. BTTC compiles the expertise and desire to participate in state-of- the-art clinical trials investigating new treatments for malignant brain tumors. About 612,000 people in the United States are living with the diagnosis of a primary brain (malignant or non-malignant) or central nervous system tumor. The National Brain Tumor Society estimates 190,000 men, women and children in the United States are diagnosed each year with a primary or metastasized brain tumor.

Harry’s books

Harry’s social media