StacheStrong is a not-for-profit charity devoted to raising funds and awareness for brain cancer research. Colin Gerner is the president and cofounder, but he’s also the guy personally emailing out the press release, hunting down photos and answering any questions in order to get this important org in front of people’s eyes. It’s a passion project.
Colin’s brother, GJ Gerner, was the inspiration and cofounder of StacheStrong. GJ courageously battled Glioblastoma (GBM) for 25 months, and his story, summarized in the video above, will punch you right in the heart. StacheStrong has raised more than $450,000 for brain cancer research, including funding and launching four separate clinical trials and research grants. They’ve done that with the help of a lot of craft breweries, so kudos to them too.
Once again in 2021, StacheStrong has launched its national #BrewStacheStrong beer collaboration in solidarity with 175+ craft breweries. As mentioned, this campaign will raise vital funds and much needed awareness for brain cancer research. Participating breweries will raise money through sales of a limited-edition S.M.A.S.H. for STACHE brew. According to StacheStrong, this SMaSH (single malt and single hop) beer will be uniquely crafted by each participating brewery, and styles will range from IPA, lager, pilsner, saison and pale ale.
From the press release:
“Being in a position to not only provide hope for families and patients diagnosed with brain cancer, but also serve as a catalyst for change by collaborating with hundreds of breweries to raise significant funds and awareness for brain cancer research is something I’m truly passionate about,” said Colin Gerner.
Cheers to the Gerners and all participating breweries, and cheers to those amazing mustaches. In fact, what’s the story behind those mustaches? From the blog:
I had shaved my light beard down into a mustache for Labor Day weekend (Col being Col…) and when Geej came out of the bathroom the night before surgery with a fresh shaved face donning a mustache, it was a rush of emotions. He knew he wouldn’t be returning to work any time soon, so he was set to grow the meanest of mustaches. We were in this together and it was at that moment that StacheStrong was born. Over the first 6 months, the mustache became quite a staple, but it is truly more than a crazy mustache. It ‘s my Superman cape, my Captain America shield and my Thor hammer all in one. It protected us through a successful brain surgery, the news of cancer in the form of grade 4 glioblastoma, the first round of chemotherapy and radiation, 5 additional rounds of max dosage chemo, Optune array treatment and everything in between. #LiveStacheStrong has truly become a rallying call, but at the end of the day, it is the strength of one person that has made all the difference. I’m happy to call the strongest human I’ve ever met in my life my big brother, my best friend and my hero.
Wow. I highly suggest you read the entire story over here. StacheStrong currently has over 175 breweries committed to #BrewStacheStrong during national Brain Tumor Awareness Month, which is in May. For more information about #BrewStacheStrong and the participating breweries, please visit www.StacheStrong.org/brewstachestrong.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.