Career-Long Caregiver Honored With 2004 Tim Gullikson Spirit Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: DECEMBER 30, 2004 Gail Sideman (414) 228-0877; mobile (414) 559-7433; email: gsideman@publicity-powergroup.com CAREER-LONG CAREGIVER HONORED WITH 2004 TIM GULLIKSON SPIRIT AWARD WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.— Called by her peers and patients things like a “ray of hope,” “confident,” “competent” and “divinely inspired,” retired nurse and caregiver Sharon Lamb of San Francisco was one of four people from throughout the United States selected as a 2004 Tim Gullikson Spirit Award winner by the Tim and Tom Gullikson Foundation. An annual accolade, the Spirit Award was created in 1998 to honor a brain tumor patient, caregiver, individual or corporation that gives hope to others by dealing with the illness with the same fighting spirit and positive attitude that tennis pro and coach Tim Gullikson exhibited in his battle. It is named after Tim Gullikson, a Foundation co-founder, who died of brain tumors in 1996. Until this year, the Foundation recognized just one person every 12 months. Thousands of patients and families have been touched by Lamb’s work and care, many of which remain in touch with her. Earlier this year, a National Brain Tumor Foundation (NBTF) board member who lost his niece to a brain tumor was so inspired by Lamb’s clinical work, and sensitivity, he endowed a Chair in her name at the University of California at San Francisco School of Nursing, a first for the school. A past president of the NBTF and member of its Board for more than 20 years, Lamb founded the first two Bay area brain tumor support groups and facilitated those for more than 20 years. An author and presenter who is a recipient of University of California’s Distinguished Service Award, Lamb now volunteers on the NBTF office Patient Line, which is funded by the Tim & Tom Gullikson Foundation. “This year’s honorees show us that while this terrible illness strikes every age group, a positive attitude can make a difference in waging the battle against the disease,” TTGF Chairman and co-founder Tom Gullikson said. “They each epitomize the lessons we all learned from my brother Tim, who would be so proud of their spirit and fight.” Also recognized were Craig Lustig, a survivor and activist from Washington, D.C., David Wilson, a survivor and teacher from Hastings, Mich., and 13-year-old brain tumor patient Jamie Dalcourt from Sparta, N.J. The Tim & Tom Gullikson Foundation was founded in 1995 by former tennis professionals Tim and Tom Gullikson and their families after Tim was diagnosed with brain tumors. The mission of the Foundation is to assist brain tumor patients and their families manage the physical, emotional and social challenges presented by the illness. It funds care and support programs of organizations with similar missions, and through college and camp scholarships. The Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. ###