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Please SAVE the DATE: August 22, 2019 is our 20th and FINAL Jimmy Fund Golf Tournament!

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Click here to register and to view sponsorship opportunities!​


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Join us August 22 at Stow Acres to reach a $2.5 M goal! 
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We're going out big!

We hope you can join us for the FINAL Joan H. Brack Charitable Foundation’s golf tournament on August 22nd at Stow Acres Country Club. Since 2000, the tournament has raised over $2.3 million for ovarian cancer research at Dana- Farber Cancer Institute. Our team includes the Brack family and the JHB Tournament Committee, Barker Steel employees, with support from Harris Rebar, Nucor, HD Supply/White Cap and an amazing group of customers, vendors, friends and supporters.

For 20 years, the tourney has supported practitioners and researchers striving to find a cure for ovarian cancer and care for parents. On behalf of the Brack family and members of the golf committee, we cannot thank you enough!

Your participation this year will help meet a $2.5 million cumulative  commitment to ovarian cancer research through the Jimmy Fund and DFCI.
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Bob was recognized this August at Fenway Park for his longtime commitment supporting ovarian cancer research. Joining him in the 2015 Jimmy Fund Award presentation by the Red Sox were Dr. Ursula Matulonis of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Red Sox executive VP Sam Kennedy. A dream come true!
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​Thanks for taking a few moments to check the Joan H. Brack Charitable Foundation's web site, and we hope you find it useful.

​The Brack family started the nonprofit in 2000 as a tribute to Joan's commitment, spirit, and heart in her lifelong work with young people and organizations supporting community-based projects that open opportunities for individuals in need. We're proud to continue that mission today!

Then vs NOW: Ovarian cancer research at a crossroads 

  • 22,000 women are diagnosed each year in the U.S.
  • Most are diagnosed at an advanced stage (stage III or IV)
  • Typically, within 12 months after chemotherapy, the cancer re-grows
  • Up to 20% of ovarian cancers are inherited
  • High grade serous cancer -- the most common subtype of ovarian cancer -- has intrinsic defects in DNA repair
  • Treatment advances have been made by exploiting these genetic changes 
"We're at a crossroads. We're benefitting from better understanding of genetics, and better clinical trials." 
-- Dr. Ursula Matulonis, interim director of the Susan F. Smith Women's Cancers Center at Dana-Farber

Watch Dr. Matulonis's research update on You Tube! 

For example, The FDA approved the PARP inhibitor olaparib in 2014 for women with advanced and recurrent ovarian cancer who test positive for the BRCA gene mutation.

PARP inhibitors restrict cancer cells’ ability to repair damaged DNA, potentially causing the cancer cells to die. Dr. Matulonis and Dr. Liu have been instrumental in leading clinical trials of olaparib since 2007, including one of the trials that led to FDA approval. 
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Please continue reading on the "More/Ovarian Cancer Updates" page. 
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A teacher, beloved companion, mom, and glue of her family,
Joan continues to be cherished by many. She taught in special education teacher in the Natick schools for 17 years before joining the South Middlesex Opportunity Council, and working with women coming out of the Framingham Women’s Prison to help them get their GEDs and a new footing in life. This resulted in the establishment of the Joan H. Brack Adult Learning Center at SMOC, the first endeavor and legacy supported by the foundation which honors her life.

We are grateful to many of you who continue to celebrate Joan's spirit and support the ongoing work of her foundation.