Aiming For a Cure Foundation

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Board Members
Our foundation is built around the most wonderful, passionate and committed individuals you will ever find!

			President - Steve Ries “We had a vision that was put into action and became a dream come true”. Being parents of a child diagnosed with cancer and recently sharing a loss of this child was the inspiration to form Aiming For A Cure Foundation. My wife Jodie and daughter Rachel and I want Ben’s legacy to live, as Ben would always think of the many children and Families at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital during their treatments for cancer. During his visits, Ben was consumed by the staff, new Friendships and many opportunities that would make his home away from home more enjoyable during a difficult time. With Ben’s love for the great outdoors in his hunting dogs and the many personal Friendships made it became easy to form such a great foundation that commit their time and efforts to continue the legacy of caring for the children and Families dealing with cancer at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. We were blessed with calling Ben our son, and having so many caring people to volunteer their time, talents and financial support in helping children and their families with childhood cancer. The Ries Family resides in Alburnett on an acreage with their Family business in raising hunting dogs. Faith Family Friends

			Vice President - Dave Tatman Wife LeAnn, daughter Anna and son Joseph. Live in rural West Branch Employed by University of Iowa Children’s Hospital as the coordinator for the Pediatric Blood & Marrow Transplantation Program. Hobbies include coaching youth athletic programs, hunting, gardening and tree farm. I am very fortunate to be able to raise money for this incredible cause with an incredible group of volunteers, while also being able to see the benefits of these efforts on a daily basis.

			Treasurer - Jerry Vanni Vice President, MidWestOne Bank, Iowa City.

			Secretary - Lisa Baum Lisa Baum is development director for KCCK, Jazz 88.3 at Kirkwood College and formerly directed Children's Miracle Network at the University of Iowa Children's Hospital. Lisa has enjoyed the integrity of Aiming for a Cure committee people and the dedication it takes to produce a successful fundraising event. "It takes hearts and hands to successfully provide a healing environment. Ben Ries took the challenge of a brain tumor in stride. I'm thankful to have met him and to see my own growth through his courage."

			Member-at-Large - Wade Wamre Wade Wamre is employed at Hall and Hall Engineers in Hiawatha, Iowa as a Professional Land Surveyor. He has been involved with Aiming For A Cure Foundation since the beginning. Steve asked him to become involved with a plan he had to raise awareness and money for children with cancer, and Wade greatly accepted the challenge to help such a great cause. Wade enjoys spending his time with his boys hunting, fishing and doing hunting trials with his dogs. Wade and his wife Marcy have two boys, Hunter and Gunnar.

			Member-at-Large - Ryan Giannini I have been with Highland Hideaway Hunting since they opened in 2000, and have managed the business for the last 3 years. My love of hunting comes from my grandpa. Most days you will find me conducting business, or guiding hunts with my German shorthairs. In my free time you will find me wondering through the woods or a prairie, doing what I love most, hunting. Other days I'll be working on a project at home. For one month out of the year you will find me up in mountainous terrain of Alaska guiding and packing out large game animals for hunters all over the world. I'm a graduate from Kirkwood Community College with an A.A.S. degree in Industrial Maintenance Technology. My involvement with Aiming for a cure started with my good friend Steve Ries. When the idea started floating around about such a great event for such a great cause I was nothing but excited. As my relationship with Ben, son of Steve Ries grew it made me realize how blessed we all are with life. It also made me realize what this cause is all about. Finding a way to cope with our disabilities is something that some of us go through life without doing. My friend Ben Ries was only a boy just starting life and was helping and showing all of us how to do it. In the last 4 years of knowing Steve and his family I have grown as a person and think everyday of my good friend Ben. This is why I'm so proud of being involved with of Aiming for a cure!

			Member-at-Large - Michelle Altmaier Michelle Altmaier is the director of Children’s Miracle Network at the University of Iowa Children's Hospital. I am thankful to have met such a wonderful group of caring individuals who give of their time to support young cancer patients and their families. This is a fabulous event that brings out the best in people and I am thrilled to be involved.