Frequently asked questions

What is Oligodendroglioma?

Oligodendroglioma is a rare cancer that occurs in the brain. It belongs to a group of brain tumors called gliomas. Gliomas are primary tumors. This means they have originated in the brain rather than spreading from elsewhere in the body.



Where does the money go that I donate?

First thank you for considering donating!! All donations are deposited into an account at Massachusetts General Hospital that is dedicated for research into new treatments and therapies for Oligodendroglioma. Your donation will be earmaked to the fund called "Meg Dostal fund for Oligodendroglioma Research".



How can I donate?

You can donate using the DONATE link on this website. it will take you to a secure paysite hosted by Massachusetts General Hospital on which you can use your credit card to make donations. You can also donate by check: Checks should be made out to: MGH Development And Importantly!!!!, in the Memo line: Meg Dostal Fund for oligodendroglioma research Please mail to: Heidi Bergmeyer, MGH Development, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 40 Boston MA 02114



Can I donate by check?

Yes!! In addition to donating on this website, you can donate by check: Checks should be made out to: MGH Development And Importantly!!!!, have in the Memo line: "Meg Dostal Fund for oligodendroglioma research" Please mail to: Heidi Bergmeyer, MGH Development, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 40 Boston MA 02114



Is Massachusetts General Hospital a Non-profit organization?

Yes, MGH is a Non-profit organization. Gifts made to MGH and to the Meg Dostal Fund for Oligodendroglioma Research are tax deductable. The Tax-ID is 04-1564655



Who can I speak to at Massachusettts General Hospital about research and donations?

If you would like to speak to someone at Massachusetts General Hospital about a donation , the research or anything else related to this fundraising effort please feel free to contact Heidi (who is awesome!!!!). Heidi Bergmeyer Tel: 617-643-7160



What research will my donation support?

For any new treatment to be considered for a clinical trial in humans, it first has to show promise in preclinical research—this is where our initial fundraising efforts will be directed. Also, a major barrier to the development of new treatments is the absence of mouse models that accurately represent the disease. Clinical trials can't happen unless there are mice that can be tested as true models of Oligodendroglioma patients. Laboratories are working to create these mice, but right now there are no viable mouse models for new types of clinical research to take place. This poses a major barrier to the development of new treatments and therapies. Your donation will support the preclinical research necessary for the development of clinical trials for oligodendroglioma.



Is my donation tax deductable?

Yes, gifts made to MGH and to the Meg Dostal Fund for Oligodendroglioma Research are tax deductable. The Tax-ID is 04-1564655 You can make a tax smart gift by using a portion of your 2020 IRA required distribution, if: 1) you are 70.5 or older at the time of the gift 2) your gift goes directly from your IRA to Mass General Hospital 3) the gift does not exceed $100,000 per tax payer 4) the gift is completed before December 31, 2020 Consult your IRA administrator to initiate your charitable IRA rollover, also known as a qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). If you have any questions, you may also contact the Mass General Office of planned giving at 617-643-2220, or email mghdevpg@partners.org.



How can I share my story on OurCommonThread.org

If you would like to share your story with us at OurCommonThread and with the community that is so suportive of us and of everyone involved, it is easy. You can become a member of our Facebook community at OurCommonThreadnow and share you story right there. We will also post it here on the website. Alternatively, you can email your story to info@ourcommonthread.org and it will be posted on the website or used as your specify.



Can I fundraise for OurCommonThread.org?

Yes of course that would be awesome! If you have an event coming up and want to share your story and fundraise for OurCommonThread that would be really appreciated and really great. This is a huge mission and lots of help is needed. Please let us know if you want to fundraise and we can help make people aware of your event. If you want donations to go directly to the Meg Dostal Fund for Oligodendroglioma at Massachusetts General Hospital we can do that too!! If you would prefer to collect donations yourself and then make a donation by check or credit card that works as well!!! We will support and aid your fundraising efforts in whatever way we are able, so please reach out to us and tell us what you need, how we can help and what questions we can get answered for you.



If I want to share my story do I have to fundraise?

No, just sharing your story is pretty amazing! You don't have to fundraise. One of the main goals of OurCommonThread is to create a place for people to share their goals, inspire and be inspired by others. So yes!!! If you are thinking about sharing your story then please do, If fundraising fits into the picture at a later point of time, we will greatfully support that goal in whatever way we are able!!!



How do I contact you?

You can contact Our Common Thread or Meg at: Email: info@ourcommonthread.org Facebook group: ourcommonthreadnow