Arizona's largest student-run nonprofit
High school students have raised $5M+ for brain tumor research.
SSBTR organizes the annual Cure-a-Thon, funds five Arizona research institutions, and hands 93% of every dollar straight to the labs. Students run all of it, and have since 2001.
- raised for research since 2001
- $5M+
- of every dollar goes directly to the labs
- 93%
- schools take part across Arizona
- 50+
- students at the annual Cure-a-Thon
- 3,000+
Here's the problem
Research is the path to better outcomes.
#1
Brain and other nervous-system cancers are the leading cause of cancer death in children and people ages 15–24.
108,810
An estimated 108,810 people in the U.S. will receive a primary brain tumor diagnosis in 2026.
1.3M+
More than 1.3 million Americans are living with a primary brain tumor.
34.8%
Five-year relative survival for people diagnosed with a malignant primary brain tumor.
Most risk factors remain unknown, so progress depends on research. Research costs money. That's the part students can do something about.
Sources: National Brain Tumor Society facts, NCI/SEER childhood brain cancer statistics, and NCI adolescent and young-adult report.
How SSBTR happened
It started with Seth and Lauren.
In 2001, a Pinnacle High School advisor founded a local event to honor a family friend lost to a brain tumor. That same year, three Valley students were diagnosed. One of them, Lauren Kaye, asked her parents to spend their lives helping other families facing this disease. SSBTR is what they built.
Read the full story“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Where the money goes
93% of every dollar, five institutions.
Operations stay lean so donations don't. The rest covers the events that raise the money in the first place.
Barrow
Barrow Neurological Institute. One of the world's largest neurological disease treatment and research centers, in Phoenix.
Phoenix Children's
Phoenix Children's Hospital. Pediatric neuro-oncology under specialists like Dr. Ross Mangum, caring for kids with brain and spinal cord tumors.
TGen
Translational Genomics Research Institute. Genomics research turning lab discoveries into diagnostics and treatments.
NBTS
National Brain Tumor Society. The largest nonprofit dedicated to the brain tumor community in the United States.
U of A
University of Arizona Medical Research. Brain tumor research programs across the University of Arizona's medical campuses.
Save the date
Cure-a-Thon 2027
Saturday, February 27, 2027
Saguaro High School, Scottsdale
Arizona's largest student-run fundraising event. More than 3,000 students walk laps, hear from brain tumor survivors, and raise money that goes straight to research.
News
What's happening
July 10, 2026
The 2026–27 meeting schedule is out
Ten meetings this school year, from a City of Hope fundraising talk to the Proton Beam tour at Mayo Clinic — and the Cure-a-Thon on February 27.
ReadJune 1, 2026
The 2027 Cure-a-Thon is set for February 27
Mark your calendar: the next Cure-a-Thon happens Saturday, February 27, 2027 at Saguaro High School in Scottsdale. Registration opens in the fall.
ReadApril 25, 2026
Where the money goes: our five beneficiary institutions
Each April, SSBTR presents the year's donations to Barrow, Phoenix Children's, TGen, the National Brain Tumor Society, and University of Arizona Medical Research.
Read