In Memory of Brad Guess
Brad Guess, Executive Director of the Prostate Cancer Research Institute, passed away on Friday June 30th from a sudden heart attack. The impact of Brad’s loss is profound. His talents and personality were perfectly suited for the multi-tasking responsibilities associated with running the PCRI. A brief review of his accomplishments attests to this.
During his short 6-month tenure, Brad was instrumental in hosting “Town Hall” meetings in Los Angeles and Chicago for patients with advanced prostate cancer. At each meeting six nationally known Oncologists and Urologists were asked to respond to medical questions from a group of men with prostate cancer. These meetings were professionally recorded on DVDs so that the up-to-date medical information can be shared and widely distributed. The PCRI will present an educational conference on prostate cancer September 9th at Cal State Los Angeles.
Brad wrote and published two educational articles on prostate cancer. The first article, published in PCRI Insights, presented a review of Taxotere chemotherapy, the most active agent for treating men with advanced prostate cancer. The second article was about preventing side effects from treatment with testosterone deprivation. It is slated for publication in the journal Seminars in Preventative and Alternative Medicine in August 2006.
Another new initiative was getting the PCRI involved in a nationwide advocacy movement for men with advanced disease. Brad accomplished all this while overseeing daily responsibilities including fundraising and interacting with donors, staff supervision, upgrading a busy web site, writing grants, meeting payroll and lease obligations, and assuaging the concerns of his board of directors.
The PCRI was incredibly fortunate to have a man of Brad’s experience and passion. His work in the health field started when, as a result of a serious knee injury, he was forced to abandon hopes of a career in professional basketball (Brad was 6’8” tall).
He was initially trained and licensed as a respiratory technologist and as such, he spent over two years in Chiang Mai, Thailand as a medical missionary where he learned to speak fluent Thai. Subsequently Brad became a registered nurse and worked in the field of critical care. In 1997, he began his studies at Stanford to become a Physician’s Assistant. Initially he was employed in Family Practice and subsequently was hired by Prostate Oncology Specialists where he gained more than five years experience caring directly for men with prostate cancer.
Everyone who met Brad came away touched by his kindness and genuine concern for others. His many talents and skills simply magnified the impact of his compassionate and loving nature. Brad was 42 years old, and is survived by his two sons, Elijah and Benjamin. The PCRI has established a memorial fund in his name.
Direct Donation in Memory of Brad Guess
By Phone: If you would prefer to phone in your donation, call us at (310) 743-2116
By Mail: Your tax-deductible gift in the form of cash, credit card, stocks or real estate should be made payable to the Prostate Cancer Research Institute and sent to:
Prostate Cancer Research Institute
5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 800
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Federal Tax ID Number: 95-4617875
Memorial Contributions
A Gift of Remembrance to the Prostate Cancer Research Institute is a special way to give tribute. These gifts are a gratifying way for individuals, organizations, businesses and groups to honor someone while supporting the Prostate Cancer Research Institute's mission to prevent and cure prostate cancer and to improve the lives of all men affected by the disease.
When a donation is made from this page a memorial card is sent to Brad Guess's family. The amount of the gift is not indicated. Every gift is tax deductible and the donor receives an acknowledgment.
The Prostate Cancer Research Institute is a non-profit corporation, exempt from federal income taxes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It has been classified as an organization that is not a private foundation as defined in section 509(a) of the Code, and qualifies for a maximum charitable contribution by individual donors.
