Pennymac and the Kurland Family Foundation, strong supporters of brain cancer research at UCLA Health, held the third annual Stanford L. Kurland Memorial Golf Classic June 9-10, 2024. The event raised more than $2.3 million to benefit brain cancer research at the UCLA Neuro-Oncology Program in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, bringing the total to more than $7 million raised since its inception in 2022. Funds directly support the brain cancer research of Dr. Timothy Cloughesy (RES ’91, FEL ’92), director of the UCLA Neuro-Oncology Program and professor of clinical neurology, and Dr. David Nathanson (PhD ’11, FEL ’13), associate professor in the UCLA Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division of the Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology.
The event honors the late Stan Kurland, founder of Pennymac, a longstanding leader in mortgage lending. In early 2020, Kurland was diagnosed with a non-operable brain tumor and received care at UCLA Health until his passing in January 2021.
“Stan was committed to helping cure an ‘incurable’ disease and bringing hope to those in treatment,” said David Spector, chairman and CEO at Pennymac and a proud UCLA alumnus. “Pennymac is honored to join the Kurland Family Foundation and our co-sponsors in carrying on the legacy and philanthropic work that Stan started.”
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common types of malignant brain tumors. Given the brain’s complexity, these tumors pose unique challenges. The body’s blood-brain barrier protects the brain and spinal cord from harmful chemicals, including many traditionally designed drugs, which limits the access of these therapies to the brain. As a result, conventional cancer medications do not benefit patients with a brain tumor, leaving an unmet need for specific drugs for brain cancer.
“Our UCLA Neuro-Oncology Program is dedicated to discovering novel drug candidates that will enhance the delivery of therapies to GBMs and improve survival,” said Dr. Cloughesy. “Private philanthropy is crucial to advancing our work, and Pennymac and the Kurland family are playing a significant role. We are extremely grateful for their generosity and commitment to finding a cure for brain cancer.”
The vital contributions from Pennymac, the Kurland Family Foundation and all of the event’s supporters will provide resources to continue work on developing new drugs for GBM and test drug-treatment combinations that build on the current clinical trials. “Through the support of Pennymac and the Kurland family, we have made significant strides in discovering new drug candidates, as well as rational drug combinations to further halt GBM tumor growth,” said Dr. Nathanson.
“One promising new GBM medication developed by the team traverses the blood-brain barrier to specifically target a mutation uniquely found in GBM tumor cells,” Dr. Nathanson said. “This drug is currently under clinical evaluation and has not displayed any significant side effects. Our goal is that it will provide a complement to existing treatments, including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.”
The unwavering dedication of Pennymac, the Kurland family, UCLA Health and all who contributed to the Stanford L. Kurland Memorial Golf Classic is a testament to the power of coming together to make a meaningful difference. “This year’s event exceeded our fundraising goals and expectations, but there is more work to be done,” said Spector. “We look forward to raising more awareness, hope and funds in our commitment to the cause for years to come.”
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