About Us

Raising money for Cancer Research

The Sally Edelman Harry Gardner Cancer Research Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that raises money for cancer research. Established in 1984, the Foundation originally aimed to raise $1,000,000 and has continued raising these critical funds even though we’ve surpassed this goal.

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Money Edelman-Gardner donated to Wilmot Cancer Institute

It Started with one

In 1973, George Edelman Jr. initiated the “$buck board” in Hilton, a small town that rallied around his cause. Following the deaths of his friend Harry Gardner in 1977 and his wife Sally Edelman in 1982, George launched a campaign to fund cancer research, leading to the establishment of the Sally Edelman and Harry Gardner Research Foundation in 1984.
The foundation’s mission was to allocate all funds raised directly to research projects, avoiding administrative costs. Partnering with the University of Rochester ensured that donations would directly support the Wilmot Cancer Institute. The foundation has contributed “seed” grants to Wilmot researchers, encouraging further funding from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and National Institutes of Health (NIH). This strategy has successfully secured over $8 million in additional grants for promising projects.
To date, we have invested over $1,450,000. in research for colon, ovarian, breast, brain, and pancreatic cancers. In May 2023, we completed our fourth $250,000 commitment, bringing our 20-year total to $1 million.
Our success is due to the generous support of the Town of Hilton and surrounding communities through grassroots fundraising efforts, including bowling, golf tournaments, and donations from local businesses. What began with one individual has become a collective commitment, supported by a board of seven dedicated members and countless volunteers making a meaningful impact together.