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BURGER & BEER BENEFIT

FOR BRAIN CANCER

Sunday, August 31st from 5:00-9:00pm 
Bass Farms (Mount Vernon, Iowa)

LIVE MUSIC  |  FOOD  |  DRINKS  |  GAMES  |  SILENT AUCTION 

Attend this fundraiser to celebrate and support local community members impacted by brain cancer. This event will include the next release of "DON'T DIE" beer that features a list of new names of fighters, survivors and lost loves ones...
GET TICKETS & PLACE PRE-ORDERS

Welcome to our 3rd Annual Burger and Beer Benefit for Brain Cancer that has raised almost $25,000 in previous years!  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. Stay tuned for some other special surprises!

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 (and what would have been his 40th birthday on August 26th). 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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Dont Die Beer

Last year's initial launch of DON'T DIE custom-label beer release featuring Stephen Stepanek.

DON'T DIE Beer
*NEW* 2025 Release Featuring Others

Cheers! Last year we 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. This year's release includes another special edition print, but with names of YOUR loved ones impacted by cancer — now you can continue to toast to them and show your support. This event will launch the next special release!

 

Special thanks to the help of Lion Bridge Brewing Company!

Learn More About the Campaign

Honoring Stephen

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

DONT DIE Shirt 2025

Pricing: $20 for Kids Youth Sizes (S-L); $25 for Adult Sizes (S-3XL) in Men's and Women's sizes.

New "DON'T DIE" Shirts

A TOAST TO FIGHTERS.
A TRIBUTE TO SURVIVORS.
A LEGACY FOR THE LOST.

A PROMISE TO KEEP GOING, LIVE ON, AND
FIGHT AGAINST BRAIN CANCER.

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.

(Also... August is hot, so we went with a sleeveless option this year to help keep you cooler!)

Pre-Order My Shirt(s)

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 the Golden Halo Trial

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, "The Golden Halo," that 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 GBM patients in Eastern Iowa. The biggest way we can help is by raising funds to get more Golden Halos built for GBM patients in need of treatment NOW.
Help Fund the Golden Halo Trial
Carter & Huang 2020_10_5-12_0

Calvin Carter, Ph.D. and Sunny Huang, Ph.D. & M.D. at the GBM lab.

 

Thank you to the following donors:

We appreciate the support of the community!

 

  • Bass Farms (Host Sponsor)
  • Lion Bridge Brewing Company (Beer Sponsor)
  • Ask a Friend Band (Entertainment Sponsor)
  • Peppercorn Food Company (Dessert)
  • Trevor & Lacey Christansen (Silent Auction)
  • Cody & Jenna Jandik (Silent Auction)

Silent Auction Opportunities

If you're interested in donating items towards the silent auction, please contact Trevor at 319.550.3142.

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 almost $25,000 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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