Robert (Bob) Gibbs, co-founder of Miles For Hope, Inc., a nonprofit organization, passed away Saturday December 10th, 2011 at 2:05 a.m., after a seven-year battle with brain cancer. Gibbs, 42, died peacefully with family by his side.
Gibbs was a leader in the brain tumor community. His focus through Miles For Hope was to raise awareness and funding for cutting-edge brain tumor research and clinical trials. In July 2011, Miles For Hope partnered with two other brain tumor organizations, in awarding a $100,000 research grant to University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) neurosurgeon Linda Liau, M.D., PhD to begin the clinical trial, Optimizing Dendritic Cell Vaccination for Low Grade Glioma Patients. This is the first trial of its kind for patients that have been diagnosed with low grade gliomas, a common form of brain cancer, which has the potential to improve the lives of brain cancer patients.
This grant reflected Gibbs’ commitment to increase awareness and funding for potentially life-saving brain tumor research. The next step in carrying out Gibbs’ vision is to fund a vaccine trial for Pediatric Brain Tumor Patients.
In addition to supporting the latest research, advancements and clinical trials, Gibbs was also dedicated to offering patients and their families much needed support through his organization. This includes providing information about up-to-date treatment options and providing medically necessary flight assistance to patients so they can get the treatment they desperately need.
According to his wife Barb, “Bob’s mission was not only to find a cure for this devastating disease, but to offer his own brain cancer experiences to others to assist them during their battle. He always put others before himself. He touched many lives while battling his own illness. He always found time to speak with other brain tumor patients or their families, providing hope, information, comfort and support. Although his own treatments exhausted him, he never tired from helping others or turned anyone away. His strength, determination and drive touched and helped so many.”
Gibbs, married and father of four, was diagnosed in 2004 with brain cancer at the age of 34. He is survived by his wife, Barb, their four sons Christopher, Justin, Matthew, and Dylan, his parents Clayton and JoAnne Gibbs, and his sister Jackie (Jeff) Tonkel.
A public memorial service will be held Saturday, December 17th, at 3 p.m., at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park, 2860 Sunset Point Road, Clearwater, FL 33759. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Miles For Hope, Inc., www.MilesForHope.org, to continue Gibbs’ dedication in Moving Towards a Cure® for brain tumors.
About Mile for Hope, Inc: Miles for Hope, Inc. is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to funding cutting-edge Brain Tumor research, raising awareness and providing medically necessary travel assistance to Brain Tumor patients.
MEDIA CONTACT
Barb Gibbs
1684 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 781-4673
SOURCE: Miles for Hope, Inc.
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