Debbie's Dream Foundation

What Debbie's Dream Foundation does

Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2009 by Debbie Zelman, a stage IV gastric cancer survivor, and headquartered in Plantation/Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The foundation is dedicated to advancing stomach cancer awareness, education, advocacy, and research funding while delivering direct patient and caregiver support across the United States, Canada, Germany, and Japan. Its core programmatic portfolio includes the Patient Resource Education Program (PREP), a peer mentor program, monthly expert-moderated support groups, the annual Stomach Cancer Capitol Hill Advocacy Day, national and international educational symposia, the 'From the Gut' podcast series, the Doctors On Call program, nutrition and cooking demonstrations, an AI-powered nutrition assistant (Ina) delivered via SMS through Savor Health, free clinical trial matching via EmergingMed, and the Mission Ambassadors volunteer network. The Scientific and Medical Advisory Board, chaired by Dr. David Ilson of Memorial Sloan Kettering, draws from leading institutions including MSK, MD Anderson, Dana-Farber, Mass General, Mayo Clinic, and Northwestern, lending clinical credibility to program design and grant-making.

Debbie's Dream Foundation operates a non-commercial revenue model funded entirely by philanthropic contributions. It does not charge patients or caregivers for any program; all services are free at the point of use. Funding sources include individual donations (one-time and recurring) routed through debbiesdream.org and direct mail, corporate sponsorships from twelve-plus pharmaceutical companies including Astellas, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, Amgen, Daiichi-Sankyo, Gilead, Lilly, Taiho Oncology, Arcus Biosciences, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, and AstraZeneca, plus Tito's Handmade Vodka, advocacy-day scholarship donations, community walk fundraisers (Strides Against Stomach Cancer, Gastro Dash, Gut Check 5K), and a multi-year research-grant partnership with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) that has channeled approximately $1.65 million into gastric cancer research since 2014. Through twelve years of sustained federal advocacy, DDF has influenced $47M+ in Department of Defense PRCRP funding and a 55% increase in NCI stomach cancer research funding since 2020. As of December 2025, Amanda Pullinger serves as CEO and Michael L. Ehren, Esq. as Board President.

Name

Debbie's Dream Foundation

Legal name

Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer

Website

https://debbiesdream.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Debbie's Dream Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2009 that delivers free patient support, education, and Capitol Hill advocacy for the stomach cancer community across the US, Canada, Germany, and Japan, funded by individual donations and pharmaceutical sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Patient Advocacy and Support Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digestive Oncology (GI Cancer Care) (HLAKAEAF), Gastrointestinal Oncology (HLAKAFAK), Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

Keywords

• Gastric cancer advocacy
• Patient support services
• Cancer research funding
• Cancer patient education
• Patient mentorship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Plantation

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: DDF raises funds through individual donations via its website and direct mail campaigns. Donors can give one-time or recurring (monthly) gifts. The foundation also facilitates peer-to-peer fundraising pages.
2. Corporate Sponsorships and Industry Partnerships: Pharmaceutical companies including Astellas, Amgen, Daiichi-Sankyo, Gilead, Lilly, Merck, Taiho Oncology, Bristol Myers Squibb, Arcus Biosciences, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, and Tito's Handmade Vodka provide sponsorship funding to support DDF's PREP program, educational initiatives, symposia, podcast, advocacy day, and nutrition programs.
3. Advocacy Day Scholarships and Walk Fundraising: DDF raises funds through dedicated Advocacy Day scholarship donations and community walk fundraisers (e.g., Strides Against Stomach Cancer, Gastro Dash), with funds supporting advocate travel to Capitol Hill.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates free patient support, education, and advocacy programs for the gastric cancer community, including the Patient Resource Education Program (PREP), monthly moderated virtual support groups, peer mentorship matching, the Doctors On Call expert consultation series, live cooking demonstrations, clinical trial matching through EmergingMed, AI-powered SMS nutrition support via Ina, an educational podcast series, and international symposia. The organization also funds stomach cancer research grants through the AACR partnership and runs the annual Stomach Cancer Capitol Hill Advocacy Day to drive federal research funding.

Product overview

Debbie's Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer operates as a nonprofit patient advocacy and support organization offering a comprehensive suite of programs and services for stomach cancer patients, caregivers, and families. The organization's core offerings include the Patient Resource Education Program (PREP) providing free educational resources and mentorship, monthly virtual support groups led by healthcare professionals, peer mentor matching, annual Capitol Hill advocacy events, educational symposia featuring world-renowned clinicians, the 'From the Gut' podcast series, the Doctors On Call expert consultation program, nutrition programs including live cooking demonstrations, and an AI-powered nutrition assistant (Ina) via text. Additional services include clinical trial matching through EmergingMed, a Mission Ambassadors volunteer program, advocacy and research grant funding through AACR partnerships, a resource directory library, and scholarship programs for advocacy day participants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Patient Resource Education Program (PREP) A free educational resource program connecting stomach cancer patients and caregivers with mentorship, information kits, expert guidance, and holistic support to help them understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and manage their cancer journey.
• Monthly Stomach Cancer Support Groups Monthly virtual support group meetings held on the first Thursday of each month, led by Dr. Jessica Ketterer of Memorial Health, providing expert-moderated conversation, emotional support, and practical insights for patients, survivors, caregivers, and loved ones.
• Peer Mentor Program Program connecting patients, caregivers, and family members with trained mentors who share stories, tips, and advice based on personal experiences with stomach cancer.
• Stomach Cancer Capitol Hill Advocacy Day Annual advocacy event bringing together survivors, caregivers, and advocates to meet with congressional representatives and push for increased NIH funding and early detection of stomach cancer.
• Educational Symposia National and international gastric cancer symposia offering patients and caregivers direct access to world-renowned clinicians, researchers, and advocates for education on diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
• Meals for the Stomach Cancer Patient Cooking Demonstrations Nutrition program featuring live cooking demonstrations and educational content helping stomach cancer patients and caregivers navigate dietary challenges through recipes and adaptive cooking techniques.
• From the Gut: Real Talk on Stomach Cancer Podcast DDF's first educational podcast series featuring survivors, experts, caregivers, and patient advocates sharing real-life experiences and vital insights on stomach cancer.
• Doctors On Call Program Expert-led program offering timely information on treatment options, side-effect management, screening, and survivorship for stomach cancer patients and families.
• Clinical Trials Matching Service Partnership with EmergingMed providing free clinical trial matching services to stomach, esophageal, and GE junction cancer patients, families, and caregivers.
• Mission Ambassadors Program Volunteer program where ambassadors represent the foundation at events, advocate through social media, connect patients with resources, and assist with fundraising efforts.
• Ina Intelligent Nutrition Assistant AI-powered nutrition assistant from Savor Health available 24/7 via SMS text, providing personalized nutrition guidance, recipes, and symptom management strategies for cancer patients.
• Scholarship Programs Financial assistance programs including Stomach Cancer Advocacy Day Scholarships helping offset travel and lodging expenses for advocates.
• AACR-Debbie's Dream Foundation Innovation and Discovery Grant Joint grant program with the American Association for Cancer Research awarding $100,000 over two years ($50,000 in 2026 and $50,000 in 2027) to support innovative gastric cancer research; approximately $1.65 million has been contributed to gastric cancer research through this partnership since 2014.

Quantifiable outcome

• $47 million in DoD PRCRP funding secured for stomach cancer research since 2015 through DDF advocacy
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014DDF and AACR collaborate on the AACR-Debbie's Dream Foundation Innovation and Discovery Grant, a $100,000 funding opportunity over two years ($50,000 in 2026, $50,000 in 2027) supporting innovative gastric cancer research. Since 2014, DDF has contributed approximately $1.65 million to gastric cancer research through this partnership.
• AstellascoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAstellas is a 2025 industry sponsor supporting DDF's PREP program, educational symposia, podcast series, Doctors On Call, and nutrition programs.
• MerckcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMerck sponsors DDF's PREP program, educational initiatives, symposia, podcast series, Doctors On Call program, nutrition program, and Advocacy Day.
• Bristol Myers SquibbcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBristol Myers Squibb supports DDF's educational symposia, podcast series, and Doctors On Call program. International programs benefit from pending support from BMS.
• Taiho OncologycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTaiho Oncology sponsors DDF's PREP program, educational symposia, podcast series, Doctors On Call program, and Advocacy Day Retreat.
• AmgencoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAmgen supports DDF's PREP program, volunteer events, and international gastric cancer symposia (pending for international programs).
• Daiichi-SankyocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDaiichi-Sankyo is a 2025 industry sponsor for DDF's PREP program and PREP volunteer events.
• GileadcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGilead is a 2025 industry sponsor for DDF's PREP program and PREP volunteer events.
• LillycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLilly supports DDF's PREP program, PREP volunteer events, and nutrition program.
• Arcus BiosciencescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerArcus Biosciences supports DDF's educational symposia, podcast series, Doctors On Call program, and Advocacy Day Retreat.
• Jazz PharmaceuticalscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJazz Pharmaceuticals sponsors DDF's educational symposia, podcast series, Doctors On Call program, and Advocacy Day Retreat.
• Gilda's Club South FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDDF partners with Gilda's Club South Florida to provide holistic cancer care through the Healthy Lifestyle program, merging DDF's Mind, Body, and Spirit-focused programs with Gilda's comprehensive wellness initiatives.
• American Cancer Society Cancer Action NetworkminorOthersListed as a DDF Community Partner, contributing to the foundation's mission of eliminating stomach cancer through collaborative community initiatives.
• CancerCareminorOthersListed as a DDF Community Partner providing supportive services to cancer patients and families.
• City of HopeminorOthersListed as a DDF Community Partner and referenced as a treatment center for Mission Ambassadors in California.
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterminorOthersListed as a DDF Community Partner and home to multiple DDF Scientific and Medical Advisory Board members including Dr. Yelena Janjigian (Chief Scientific Officer) and Dr. David Ilson.
• Memorial Cancer InstituteminorOthersListed as a DDF Community Partner and referenced as a treatment center for Mission Ambassadors in Florida. Dr. Jessica Ketterer of Memorial Health moderates DDF support groups.
• United Way of Broward CountyminorOthersListed as a DDF Community Partner supporting the foundation's local community initiatives.
• YMCA South FloridaminorOthersListed as a DDF Community Partner contributing to community wellness programs.
• Children's Bereavement CenterminorOthersListed as a DDF Community Partner supporting bereavement services.
• EmergingMedcoreTechnology or IntegrationDDF has partnered with EmergingMed to provide free clinical trial matching services to stomach, esophageal, and GE junction cancer patients, family members, and caregivers.
• Tito's Handmade VodkaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTito's Handmade Vodka supports DDF's health equity outreach efforts, bringing essential resources to underserved communities across the United States.
• AstraZenecacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational gastric cancer symposia benefit from pending support from AstraZeneca.
• Chalik & Chalik Injury and Accident LawyersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChalik & Chalik Injury & Accident Lawyers announced an expanded partnership with DDF for 2026, supporting stomach cancer awareness in South Florida. Jason Chalik serves on DDF's board of directors. The firm has supported DDF since its inception.
• Savor Health (Ina®)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDDF partnered with Savor Health to offer Ina®, the Intelligent Nutrition Assistant — a free 24/7 SMS-based nutrition and symptom management tool powered by oncology-credentialed registered dietitians, nurses, and physicians.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Colorectal Cancer Alliance: National nonprofit addressing GI cancer (colorectal), combining patient support, advocacy, and research funding. Closely comparable business model to DDF in the GI oncology space, though DDF targets the upper GI tract.
• No Stomach for Cancer: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit also dedicated exclusively to stomach cancer, funding research and supporting patients/caregivers globally. Most direct peer to DDF given the shared disease focus, mission, and small-team operating model.
• Esophageal Cancer Action Network (ECAN): A nonprofit dedicated to esophageal cancer—including GE junction cancer, explicitly named in DDF's clinical trial matching scope. Closely comparable disease focus, advocacy model, and small-team structure.

Broad incumbents

• Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN): A larger, established disease-specific cancer nonprofit (pancreatic) that combines research funding, advocacy, and patient services. Comparable in advocacy + research model, but with materially greater scale, headcount, and revenue.
• Susan G. Komen Foundation: The archetypal disease-specific cancer nonprofit; operates at materially greater scale but shares the same playbook of research grants, walk-based fundraising, advocacy, and patient navigation services DDF uses.
• Lung Cancer Research Foundation: Disease-specific cancer nonprofit combining research funding and patient support. Directly comparable in mission design and stakeholder mix, though it operates at significantly larger scale.
• American Cancer Society: The largest U.S. cancer nonprofit with a broad portfolio of research funding, patient support, and advocacy. Sits as the broad incumbent against which smaller disease-specific nonprofits like DDF compete for donor mindshare.

Others

• American Association for Cancer Research (AACR): The professional scientific society that DDF partners with to administer research grants ($1.65M since 2014). Functions as a research-funding ecosystem participant and peer convener rather than a direct competitor.

Emerging players

• Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance: A merged research and advocacy nonprofit for ovarian cancer. Closely mirrors DDF's research-grant-plus-advocacy-plus-patient-support structure at a slightly larger scale.
• National Ovarian Cancer Coalition: Another disease-specific cancer nonprofit with analogous awareness, education, and patient support programs. Useful as a structural peer for evaluating DDF's donor-base and walk-fundraising efficiency.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/stomachcancer_
• YouTubeyoutube.com/CuringStomachCancer
• Facebookfacebook.com/DebbiesDreamFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/debbiesdreamfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/debbiesdreamfoundation
• Pinterestpinterest.com/stomachcancer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments1 record

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Frequently asked questions about Debbie's Dream Foundation