Flora M. Furman Memorial Fund for American Cancer Society
Brett’s Support of Cancer Research
Not long after Brett lost his father to ALS in 1994, his mother, Flora M. Furman, succumbed to cancer. In her memory, Brett began the Flora M. Furman Memorial Fund in order to support cancer patients, their families, and the research that provides the medical world with the new protocols, medications, and treatments that help save lives. The American Cancer Society funds groundbreaking research to help understand cancer’s causes, determine how best to prevent it and discover new ways to cure it. Brett has donated thousands of dollars to the American Cancer Society in support of this mission. Donations are welcome and very much appreciated.
Flora’s Story
Flora M. Glaser Furman was born in Philadelphia. She went to Mann Elementary School, Beeber Junior High, and then on to Overbrook High School. She earned her degrees in elementary education and special education at Temple University, then made a full-time career as an elementary school teacher until her children Scott, Brett, and Pamela came along.
Flora continued to teach as a substitute on an as-needed basis, so popular with the students that if they knew a substitute was coming, they watched for her car in the parking lot. Over her decades of substitute teaching, she made an indelible impression on her students, entertaining them with a tale of her own creation called The Magic Bubble Gum Machine, which illustrated the enjoyment of sharing good fortune with others. Years later, Flora’s daughter and granddaughter recorded the story so that it, too, could be shared with others.
In 1995, Flora was diagnosed with cancer. After a long and courageous battle, she lost her fight in October of 2000. Flora is remembered as an outgoing, friendly, giving person who always had something kind to say to everyone. She is survived by her three children and seven grandchildren.
For over 100 years, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has worked relentlessly to save lives and create a world with less cancer. Together with millions of supporters worldwide, ACS helps people stay well and get well, find cures, and fight back against cancer. The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the ACS has regional and local offices throughout the country that support 11 geographical divisions and ensure a presence in every community.
The Society relies on the strength of approximately 2.5 million dedicated volunteers. Supported by professional staff, Society volunteers raise funds to support crucial research, provide cancer patients rides to and from treatments, and give one-on-one support to those facing a cancer diagnosis – and that’s just the beginning.
Thanks in part to ACS contributions, more than 1.5 million lives have been saved in the US in the past two decades. ACS is also saving lives from cancer around the globe, partnering with individuals and organizations to fight cancer on a global scale.
The American Cancer Society is there every minute of every day and night to offer free information, programs, services, and community referrals to patients, survivors, and caregivers through every step of a cancer experience – so they can focus on getting well. Learn more about their community programs and services and Cancer Information Services, including the National Cancer Information Center available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1-800-227-2345 and through their website.
