Community Member-Led Event

Stephen James Salatti. Father, husband, Papa, friend, Navy Captain, traveler, gardener, and wine connoisseur. Nobody loved life more than he did.

Steve is my dad, and he is the reason I’m running the Austin Marathon with the honor of wearing a bib for the Glioblastoma Research Organization (GBMRO).

My name is Beth Salatti and my dad was diagnosed with Glioblastoma (GBM) in December 2023 and passed away in September 2024. Prior to his diagnosis, he was an incredibly healthy, active 78-year-old with a social calendar busier than most people half his age. His diagnosis was sudden and devastating. Although we remained hopeful throughout his treatment, we faced constant setbacks and challenges. During this time, the lack of effective treatments, research, and general awareness surrounding this disease became painfully obvious.

Glioblastoma is an aggressive, highly malignant form of cancer that affects the brain and spinal cord. More than 13,000 Americans are diagnosed with GBM every year. With no known cause and no cure, it remains one of the hardest cancers to treat, carrying an average survival timeline of just 12 to 18 months. My dad lived for only 9 months.

Because glioblastoma receives significantly less federal funding than many other cancers, progress relies almost entirely on private donations. The Glioblastoma Research Organization was founded in 2018 and has raised over $5 million to fund critical research initiatives and build awareness.

100% of your donations go directly to the GBMRO to help find better treatments and, ultimately, a cure. Every dollar truly helps—thank you so much for supporting my journey and honoring my dad.