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BURGER & BEER BENEFIT

FOR BRAIN CANCER

August 29, 2026
5:00 - 9:00PM
Bass Farms (Mount Vernon, Iowa)

LIVE MUSIC  |  FOOD  |  DRINKS  |  GAMES  |  SILENT AUCTION 
*NEW THIS YEAR - BIKE RAFFLE*

Follow us on Facebook for live updates!
GET YOUR TICKETS

Celebrate and support local community members impacted by brain cancer. This event will include a new release of "DON'T DIE" beer.

 Join us for a summer evening on the farm filled with live music, fun games, and an open burger and beer bar to paid attendees. This important event raises awareness and increases funds for the #1 cause of cancer deaths in both men and women, children and adults under the age of 40. All research funding was lost due to cuts at the Department of Defense in 2025. Proceeds from this event will benefit local brain cancer research and the THRIVE mission.

This family-friendly fundraiser honors Stephen Stepanek who passed away in May of 2023. Read his story below. His memory will live on by helping others in our community impacted by brain cancer. They need your help to survive and THRIVE. While Stephen is not physically here to celebrate his birthday with us, this event is meant to enable others with brain cancer to be gifted more birthdays together with their loved ones.

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BURGER & BEER BENEFIT PURCHASES
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Previous releases of DON'T DIE beer. NEW label coming in 2026 to be featured at event.

DON'T DIE Beer
New 2026 Release

Cheers! We are excited for this year's event where we will launch another new release to support loved ones with brain cancer. Inspired by a friend currently on their own brain cancer journey, we are sharing meaningful quotes from direct patients, who are sharing what words they feel have helped the most. We want to lift them up with words of encouragement, love and support. 

This special campaign began in 2024, when we first launched a limited-edition custom-labeled beer featuring Stephen and Sawyer's slogan, "DON'T DIE." Sawyer wrote this advice in his dad’s birthday card, along with a drawing of their shared love of tanks (see below for more details). Later, this would also become their slogan in Stephen’s fight against brain cancer. After a 10-month battle, Stephen passed away from glioblastoma, but we continue to honor his memory by toasting to him.

The campaign DON’T DIE supports additional loved ones currently battling cancer, or those we’ve lost but wish to keep their memory thriving. In 2025, we released another special edition print, but with names of 25 other loved ones impacted by cancer — now you can continue to toast to them and show your support.

 

We are continuing to collect names of loved ones battling or who have passed from brain cancer that we hope to print on another future DON'T DIE release!

 

Special thanks to the help of Lion Bridge Brewing Company!

Learn More About the Campaign

eBike Raffle Giveaway

Enter for your chance to win an electric bike designed to make every ride more enjoyable, whether you're commuting, exploring your city, or hitting your favorite trails!

How to Enter:

  • Purchase your raffle entry at Northtowne Cycling & Fitness (Cedar Rapids, IA), at day-of event, or online.
  • Each entry increases your chances of winning.
  • Winner will be selected at random and announced at the Burger & Beer Benefit.
  • Winner does not need to be present to win.
  • Winner will visit Northtowne to be sized.
  • Winner may choose their preferred color.
  • Northtowne will complete a final safety check before the bike leaves the store.
  • Accessories not included.

Every entry supports brain cancer research while giving you the opportunity to take home an incredible prize. Special thank you to Northtowne Cycling & Fitness for their generous donation and support this year!

Enter the Raffle
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eBike valued at $1800+.
Tickets available for $25 each or 5 for $100.

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$20 each Fire Birch scented soy candle.

"DON'T DIE" Candles

 Light the Way For Someone

More than a candle. These are a reminder that someone matters. NEW DON'T DIE12 oz. Soy Candle features the message "Light the Way For ________", leaving optional space for you to write a name and personalize it for someone who could use a little extra light, encouragement, or support.

Whether you're giving it as a thoughtful gift, honoring someone special, or keeping it as a daily reminder for yourself, this candle is designed to symbolize hope, resilience, and showing up for the people who matter most. New to the DON'T DIE collection that is perfect for gifting, memorials, celebrations, or everyday encouragement.

Light it with intention. Write a name. Keep the flame burning for someone who needs to know they're not alone.

While supplies last. Refunds available if out of stock.

Pre-Order Candle

"DON'T DIE" Apparel 

Purchase your shirt to support others impacted by brain cancer. The DON'T DIE campaign is a promise to support loved ones in their cancer battle, or to keep their memory alive.

Shirts can be pre-ordered and/or purchased at the event while supplies last. You can also directly reach out to the Thrive Team for arrangements to pick up or ship.

While supplies last. Refunds available if out of stock.

Pre-Order My Shirt(s)
DONT DIE Shirt 2025

Sleeveless option shown. DON'T DIE T-Shirts also available for purchase.

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Stephen and his family (Brittney, Sawyer & Sylvia) thank everyone for attending his surprise birthday in August of 2022.

Honoring Stephen Stepanek

Stephen was diagnosed with brain cancer in August 2022 after going to the ER with a migraine without any prior symptoms. Before heading into major surgery, Stephen's loved ones threw a surprise birthday party for him at Bass Farms to show their support. Stephen said this was one of his favorite memories, and how he wanted to be remembered before he got sick.

Stephen battled glioblastoma for 10 months before passing in May of 2023. He was touched by everyone who showed up continuously throughout his fight. As we discovered along the way - he was also touching the lives of so many others. We continue to do so in Stephen's honor by hosting a brain cancer fundraiser every year on his birthday. 

Read Stephen's Journey

Frequently Asked Questions

We will close the silent auction at 8:00pm so winners have an hour to pick up items at the event.

Pick up at the end of the event is preferred. If you need to leave, you can pick up your winning item(s) at Bass Farms at a later time/date.

Yes, veggie burgers will also be provided while they last!

We will stop cooking food by 8:00pm.

The event is planned to be held rain or shine!

There will be a burger bar buffet for you to build your own (beef, turkey or veggie) burger that includes a heirloom tomato, avocado, & cucumber salad, fresh fruit salad, chips and dessert!

Yes! Feel free to also bring a chair if you want to move around and listen to the live music.

If you'd like to make a donation directly to the THRIVE Brain Cancer Non-Profit, you can do so through our Venmo Account, on our Event Ticket Page (Select "I can't go but please accept my donation"), or contact the team for other options.

Yes. Tickets can be purchased online before the event (help us estimate numbers), or at the entrance the day-of. 

Wristbands will validate your entry for access to food and drinks.

Tickets available at: https://braincancer.ticketspice.com/burger-beer-benefit

Children under the age of 3 do not need a ticket.

About Glioblastoma & Brain Cancer

Glioblastoma (GBM), or grade four brain cancer, is the most common form of brain cancer accounting for 47.7% of cases. With standard care of treatment (surgery, radiation and chemotherapy), patients on average only live about one year. The FDA has only approved four drugs in 50 years for GBM. Survival and mortality rates have been unchanged for decades. The cause is unknown, and there is no cure. Although the #1 cause of cancer deaths for men and women under the age of 40 (including children), brain cancer had all funding cut by the Department of Defense in 2025. GBM needs both increased awareness and funds raised to help advance treatments and save lives before it is too late.

MRI Imagery

MRI of Stephen's brain tumor (2022).

Make a Direct Donation

Proceeds Benefit Brain Cancer Research

The Geminii Team is developing a new non-toxic option using energy fields to treat the deadliest forms of cancer. They have created a medical device allows patients to receive therapy without having to travel to hospitals or care centers, making treatment safe, successful, and convenient. The clinical trial is getting closer to launch, and expected to start soon with newly diagnosed and recurrent GBM patients. The biggest way we can help is by raising funds to get more devices built for GBM patients in need of treatment NOW.
Help Fund Brain Cancer Research
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Calvin Carter, Ph.D. and Sunny Huang, Ph.D. & M.D. at the GBM lab.

 

Thank you to the following donors:

 

Event Sponsor:

We are honored to welcome Modern as the Exclusive Sponsor of this year's, "Burger & Beer Benefit!"

This partnership with Modern reflects a deep commitment to supporting individuals and families affected by brain cancer, a cause that resonates closely with their organization. Through their generous support, they are helping strengthen our community, raise awareness, and advance hope for those facing this disease. We are grateful for their dedication and proud to have them join us in making a meaningful difference.

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We appreciate the support of the community:

  • Northtowne Cycling & Fitness (Bike Raffle Giveaway)
  • Bass Farms (Host Sponsor)
  • Lion Bridge Brewing Company (Beer Sponsor)
  • RetroMix (Band Sponsor)
  • Peppercorn Food Company (Dessert Sponsor, Event Catering)

Silent Auction Opportunities

If you're interested in donating items towards the silent auction, please contact Brittney.

Questions about the event? For more information, contact thrivebraincancer@gmail.com.

Donate Now

Pictures from Previous Benefits

Highlights from Stephen's Birthday Fundraisers

Thank you to the hundreds of attendees who joined our fight and helped raise over $35,000 collectively for brain cancer research and treatment in Eastern Iowa. We are excited to host another fundraiser to support others and honor loved ones impacted by cancer while paving a better path for the future.

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