THE MISSION
The Sounder Foundation (tax identification # 95-4783588) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit
tax-exempt organization established in 1999 to benefit three specific areas:
cancer research, disabled children, and animal rescue. Each of these particular
areas has specific importance to the directors and officers of the foundation.
Our directors and officers do not take a salary and
as such, all donations go directly to the cause.
We are a foundation with strong ties to the San Fernando Valley and Antelope
Valley and although we are currently small, we have been able to make significant
headway in our goals.
The accomplishments that we have made so far include the following:
The Sounder Foundation furthered
its mission to promote cancer research by establishing a fund that gives
Dr. Thomas Chen MD, PhD of the University of Southern California, a guaranteed
sum of money each year to assist in his brain cancer research. We had the
pleasure of meeting Dr. Chen during unfortunate circumstances when a close
friend of the family, Helaine Scott, was diagnosed with brain cancer. She
was originally diagnosed at Cedars Sinai Medical Center where the medical
staff concluded that they could not operate and that she had only a short
time to live. Dr. Chen was then consulted as a second opinion whereupon
he visualized a much more positive prognosis. As an aggressive surgeon,
he was able to remove much of the tumor. Because of Dr. Chen’s excellent
work, Helaine's life was extended for over two years with very good quality.
Prior to the surgery she had lost all speech. Following the surgery, her
speech returned.
There is no question that Dr. Thomas Chen is one of the finest neurosurgeons
in the nation, if not the world. He and his team are truly dedicated to
benefiting humanity and doing all that they can to combat this deadly disease.
When Helaine passed away, the Sounder Foundation accepted donations in lieu
of flowers in order to assist Dr. Chen in his research. We spoke to him
about how the money should be distributed and he stated that one of the
most effective means to assist him would be to set up a fund that would
allot a certain amount of money each year that he could rely on to hire
graduate research assistants and purchase needed medical supplies to help
him in his cancer research. We raised approximately $25,000.00 and now allocate
several thousand dollars per year to Dr. Chen to assist him in his research
projects. He is presently involved in numerous studies and experimental
treatments regarding brain cancer.
The Sounder Foundation receives
support from such individuals as Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve
Cooley, The Honorable James Rogan (former member of House of Representatives
and Undersecretary of Commerce), baseball great Jay Johnstone, numerous Los
Angeles County Superior Court Judges, and the Fraternal Order of Police. While
we have a broad coalition of support, it is important to emphasize that the
Sounder Foundation is completely non-political and is dedicated solely to the
purposes previously mentioned.
THE NEED
The Sounder Foundation is in current need of additional funds in order to expand
on the work that is presently being conducted in our three areas of focus. It
is our intention to raise the amount given to Dr. Chen each year in order to
further assist in his cancer research. The foundation also intends to assist
the local handicapped population by establishing cultural field trips that would
such destinations as the Hollywood Bowl, Disney Hall, Ahmanson Theatre, etc.
These are events that disabled children and young adults may never get to experience
if initiative is not taken to expose them to such events. It is also our intention
to continue to adopt rescue dogs, train them and have them placed in other United
Cerebral Palsy homes. In addition to the cost of training the dogs, the foundation
also absorbs the cost of food and veterinarian bills.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, September 24, 2005:
A plaque dedication will be held
at the Norris Cancer institute located at the University of Southern California’s
medical site in downtown Los Angeles. This event begins at 12:00 p.m.and will
feature remarks by special guest Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley
followed by a comprehensive update on the current developments in the area of
Cancer Research by world-renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Thomas Chen - MD, PhD. Inasmuch
as Dr. Chen is a direct recipient of contributions from the Sounder Foundation,
he will relay to the audience how the funds are currently being utilized and
what has been accomplished so far with the help of the Sounder Foundation. This
should be a well-attended event. Lunch will be served. The location address
is 1441
Eastlake Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90033.
Thursday, October 29, 2005
The Sounder Foundation will have a fundraiser on the University of Southern
California campus on Homecoming Day. At this event we will sell licensed USC
Trojan signs with the proceeds going to the Foundation. Those businesses and
firms that support the Sounder Foundation will be given recognition at this
event.
Future Events
On Fathers’ Day in 2006, the Sounder Foundation will have a food booth
at the annual Thousand Oaks Fathers’ Day Car Classic held in beautiful
Kingmen Park, located on the grounds of California Lutheran University in Thousand
Oaks, California. All proceeds will go directly to the Foundation.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions and additional information
please contact any of the directors listed below:
Steven Frankland at 818-523-1444
Vancine Frankland at 818-360-3144
Brad Hertan at 661-949-8766
Sandi Roth at 818-236-3611
Albert Pak at 213-923-3550
Debbie Jaeger at 818-565-5648
Correspondence can be addressed to:
Sounder Foundation
17616 Arvida Drive
Granada Hills, CA 91344
OR
Sounder Foundation
P.O. Box 3502
Granada Hills, CA 91349-3502