Share

Emily Whitehead Foundation, a non-profit organization that advocates to increase access to advanced disease treatments such as cell and gene therapies, has named Kristine Barras of Bensalem, PA, to the foundation’s newly created position of development director.

The foundation was named for Emily Whitehead who, at five years old, was the first child living with cancer to receive CAR T-cell therapy. CAR-T was Emily’s last chance for survival. Emily is now 12-years cancer-free, a thriving college student and considered cured.

Emily Whitehead Foundation was established to advance awareness of and access to CAR-T cell therapy and other advanced treatments, and to support families affected by pediatric cancer. The foundation is expanding its mission to advocate for all patients who can benefit from advanced therapies and cultivating collaborations that will enhance emotional and mental health support.

As development director, Barras will advance the foundation’s mission by building relationships with donors, creating fundraising strategies and overseeing key fundraising events.

“I am honored to join the Emily Whitehead Foundation and am deeply inspired by its work to transform the lives of patients and their families,” Barras said. “Supporting this mission is both a professional privilege and a personal calling. I look forward to building relationships and strategies that will help provide more patients with hope and increase access to life-saving advanced therapies.”

Barras has over 10 years of experience in nonprofit administration. Her journey into development began with a single graduate-level class in fundraising, and her career quickly blossomed when she managed a $45 million capital campaign at The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia.

Barras also has experience overseeing annual campaigns, email marketing campaigns, social media strategies, fundraising events and grant-writing.

“Barras is known for her ability to foster meaningful relationships with donors, board members and collaborators,” said Emily Whitehead Foundation Executive Director George Eastwood. “Her vast experience perfectly aligns with our foundation’s goal of growing our capacity to ensure that every patient who can be treated with life-saving advanced therapies has access to these treatments.”

Since its inception, the Emily Whitehead Foundation has connected countless families with experts and clinical trials, helped pave the way for over 40,000 individuals to access CAR T-cell therapy worldwide and raised over $2 million for revolutionary research so more patients can live a long full life. For more information about the Emily Whitehead Foundation, visit emilywhiteheadfoundation.org.