Magic Bullet Fund Mission Statement

MISSION STATEMENT

Magic Bullet Fund helps people who have made room in their homes and hearts for a canine companion, but do not have the financial resources to provide cancer treatment. To the caretaker of a dog with cancer, the focus is not on advancing medical science or curing cancer. The focus is on sparing or prolonging the life of a beloved companion.

MBF does not fund research or promise to "cure canine cancer." We help real life dogs, working with families and veterinarians, to ensure that they recieve the treatment they need.

Canine cancer treatment requires a substantial financial outlay, ranging between $600 and $6,000 per dog. Many dog owners cannot support such a large and unanticipated expense.

MBF is a DBA of the non-profit Perseus Foundation, incorporated in the State of Maryland, which promotes research and public education about cancer in companion animals. Donations to the Magic Bullet Fund are tax deductible.

Fifty percent of our pets will have cancer in their lifetimes. Every day, 8,000 dogs are diagnosed with cancer.
Still, caretakers respond to the diagnosis of cancer in their pet with shock and despair. MBF and Perseus Foundation strive to educate pet owners and raise public awareness about canine cancer in order to in promote prevention and enable early detection.

OUR PROMISE TO SPONSORS

Magic Bullet Fund (MBF) provides financial assistance for canine cancer treatment only when the family is financially unable to provide treatment. MBF dogs would not be able to have (or complete) cancer treatment without our assistance. Most families contribute some portion of the treatment fees and MBF contributes only the amount that the family cannot pay.

MBF accepts cases for which we can reasonably hope that treatment will add a year of high quality life for a dog. Because of the unpredictable nature of the disesase, treatment fails when the cancer is more aggressive than expected. When funds raised for a dog cannot be used for that dog's treatment, funds are redistributed to other MBF dogs in need of treatment.

Funds are not used for past due balances, treatment for other health issues, palliative care or euthanasia.

A note from the founder

In 1992, I adopted an 18-month-old Siberian Husky called Bullet at the local SPCA. Willful and ornery, smart and demanding, Bullet's primary objective in life was to escape and run free. Later, he would be lovingly called the Magic Bullet by his medical team.

In July 2000, at 9 years old, Bullet was diagnosed with an aggressive canine cancer called lymphoma. The life expectancy for dogs with this disease is about one month without chemotherapy and a year to 18 months with chemotherapy. Bullet did have chemotherapy, and he also had a special home made diet and home care plan that I designed. He was in a very small percentage of dogs to survive the disease.

At the urging of Bullet's oncologist, I wrote the book “Help Your Dog Fight Cancer” to help others who have a dog with cancer. I finished writing the book in the summer of 2004, but before sending it to print I searched for an organization to which I could donate proceeds from the book. I looked for an organization that would help people who have dogs with cancer but can't afford to pay for treatment. I found none, but the president of the Perseus Foundation suggested that I create a fund within Perseus, to accomplish my goal. I did, and I named it the Magic Bullet Fund.

Bullet was one shining moment that graced my life for 12 years, 2 months and a day. He remained in remission for four and half years, until I lost him to age-related kidney failure. He was nearly 14 years old. On November 20. 2004, Bullet passed to the Rainbow Bridge. It seems like just yesterday that I held him in my arms. Bullet is my guardian angel, my inspiration and my hero. Every day I whisper to him, "I'm still holdling you."

Click to see "I'm Still Holding You," a Tribute to Bullet, on YouTube

While Bullet was fighting cancer, I was very aware of how lucky I was that I had the resources to help him fight. I thanked the Universe every day. If I had missed the opportunity to take Bullet on that journey, it would have broken my heart.

Bullet’s legacy is the Magic Bullet Fund, providing financial assistance to people who have dogs with cancer but can’t afford treatment costs. MBF has helped more than 150 beautiful dogs through treatment. With the support of generous people who are passionate about preserving the person-pet bond, MBF will give many more more dogs a chance to survive cancer and follow in Bullet's big pawprints.

Through the Magic Bullet Fund, it has been my great privilege and honor to help so many other beautiful dogs fight cancer. The Magic Bullet Fund is about giving every dog the chance he or she deserves to survive cancer. At best, it is about beating cancer. At least, it is about giving people and their dogs more time together - more time to find out if their dog may survive cancer, and to create a few more precious moments and lasting memories. Fighting cancer is always a tenuous effort. .

Let's Make Magic!

Laurie Kaplan
Fund Administrator