Mike Slonina is a young man with the enthusiasm and drive to make a difference in the fight against cancer. Mike’s mother, Betsy Cullen, was initially diagnosed with brain cancer in 2010 and subsequently was treated by William Curry Jr., MD, at the Mass General Cancer Center. Mike knew he had to do something to honor his mom and help in the fight against brain cancer.
Mike and his friends from Catholic Memorial School held the first event to raise awareness of this disease and support for the Brain Tumor Center at the Mass General Cancer Center. On April 9, 2011, “A Shot for Life” featured a basketball marathon of shooting hoops for 24 hours straight. Mike’s event raised more than $17,000 and gained the attention of the national media. It was attended by countless volunteers, his school’s staff, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and his mother’s physician, Dr. Curry. Mike now has more than 1,000 Facebook fans and has touched the hearts of people nationwide.
