Pearl Family Foundation

aTeam Ministries is committed to serving pediatric cancer patient families throughout the state of Alabama by providing crucial emotional, spiritual, and financial support during their most challenging times. Our mission is to walk alongside these families, offering hope, encouragement, and practical assistance when they need it most. We are deeply grateful for the support from the Bruce Pearl Family Foundation, whose generosity has played a significant role in helping us fulfill our mission. Their partnership enables us to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of families facing pediatric cancer, reminding them they are not alone in their journey.

Andy Thrower - President

aTeam Ministries

More than 200 children are diagnosed with cancer every year across the state of Alabama. Smile-A-Mile is so thankful and appreciative for the significant direct impact the Bruce Pearl Family Foundation is having on the kids and families we serve through their childhood cancer journey. We are tremendously grateful for the Foundation’s assistance in their lives as they face some of the darkest times of their cancer journey. You are truly providing hope and changing lives!

Smile-A-Mile Team

Smile-A-Mile

We are extremely thankful for the support we receive each year and grateful for the impact it makes in the lives of local cancer patients. The support we receive from the Bruce Pearl Family Foundation supports our Harrison’s Helping Hand Fund which assists financially needy Southeast Health cancer patients. The fund is named in memory of Harrison Hunter, a young cancer patient who sadly lost his fight against cancer at just 24 years old. Harrison’s family was kind enough to share their story and Harrison’s life with us after he passed in 2021. Harrison was a devoted Auburn fan who you would typically find proudly wearing his orange and blue!

Southeast Health Team

Southeast Health

After persistent fevers, a fall from bed, and the inability to walk the next morning, 3-year-old Cole’s hospital visit to Children’s of Alabama ended in a shocking diagnosis of pre b-cell lymphoblastic leukemia. Thanks to the care he received, it only took 28 days to get him to remission. But that was followed by 4 years of treatment that included chemo, spinal taps, bone marrow tests, home injections, and innumerable labs and tests. Cole and his family grew close to the care team at Children’s, including oncologists, nurses, and child life specialists who became “like family”. Cole took his last chemo pill on May 21, 2022, and is now playing tackle football, spending time with his two siblings and cheering on the Auburn Tigers. Thank you to the Bruce Pearl Family Foundation and AUtlive for helping kids like Cole receive the care they need and supporting families through their cancer journey!

Cole Murphy’s Family

Children’s of Alabama

A thirteen-year-old patient arrived at Children’s of Alabama by air transport in critical condition with a mass that was obstructing her airway. She was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and received treatment at Children’s. Due to health challenges, the patient’s parents were unable to serve as her primary caregivers. Her older sister, who was 22, suddenly found herself in the role of caring for her 13-year-old sister who was battling cancer. With help from the Bruce Pearl Family Foundation, the social services team at Children’s of Alabama was able to provide integral services for this family, and they were also able to support the family with crucial assistance funds. The patient is currently healthy and in recovery and recently started the 10th grade. “You gave me the support I needed, so I could give her the support she needed. Thank you for everything.”

Anonymous Family

Children’s of Alabama

We are deeply grateful to the Bruce Pearl Family Foundation for your support of the Ethelyn B. Hays Patient Assistance Endowment Fund, which helps our most vulnerable patients at USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute (MCI). This fund provides critical assistance for cancer patients in need, covering essential items like medications, medical supplies, transportation, and more. As the leading-edge academic-based cancer research and treatment facility on the Upper Gulf Coast, MCI relies on partners like the Foundation to help ensure that patients can stay close to home while receiving expert care. Without these funds, we would be unable in many situations to provide patients specifically medications that they must receive in order to either receive the appropriate treatment for their cancer but also other supportive medications they may need but cannot afford for pain relief and other co-morbidities. MCI utilizes all of its patient assistance funds that are provided to us each year as we are the cancer center that turns no patient away in our community.

Theresa McGloughin - Director of Clinical Operations

USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute

The funds donated by the Bruce Pearl Family Foundation from the AUTLIVE campaign have greatly impacted our patients at the Spencer Cancer Center. Not only have they helped meet the physical needs of our patients who have experienced financial challenges as a result of a cancer diagnosis, but have also allowed for a decrease in associated stress. Because of the donation from AUTLIVE, patients have been able to receive transportation assistance in order to make their treatment appointments, as well as to obtain groceries and household items, pay housing costs, and so much more. And the decrease in stress I mentioned does so much to promote a better quality of life.

Chelsea Kroll, LMSW, OSW-C, FAOSW

East Alabama Medical Center - Spencer Cancer Center