Who We Are
Our Story
Established in 2004, Column of Hope (COH) is a locally based 501(c)(3) organization committed to the efficient use of its volunteers’ time and donors’ contributions. COH will hold itself to the highest levels of accountability to those suffering, researchers, donors, and each other. Communication with supporters and friends will always be with respect, openness and honesty.
With its small budget, COH has made tremendous progress toward finding the causes of two debilitating neurological disorders, Chiari malformation and syringomyelia. Column of Hope partners with international experts to identify the most deserving research projects, where 98% of its net proceeds are dedicated. Funded research has been published in top peer reviewed medical and scientific journals.
Column of Hope’s model for delivering successful research is simple.
- Find high-quality researchers, wherever they are in the world.
- Collaborate with these researchers to reach milestones sooner.
- Focus on bringing research results to the clinic as quickly as possible.
Most importantly, COH has you, the supporters, who provide the funds and encouragement needed to continue to deliver!
Leadership
Board of Directors
Mark Kane
President
Mark is a businessman and CPA in Buffalo, New York. His experience with developing international partnerships in business, as well as his work with physicians and with emerging bio and information tech businesses, has proven invaluable in his work with COH's research projects.
Mark’s daughter was diagnosed with Chiari malformation (CM) and syringomyelia (SM) at a young age. Like a large percentage of CM/SM patients, his daughter’s initial surgery and several follow-on surgeries were not successful in relieving all her symptoms. After he and his wife, Barbara, came to the realization that science had not provided surgeons with the necessary information to treat CM/SM, they co-founded COH with likeminded individuals and are dedicated to promoting research to give physicians the necessary information to improve patient outcomes. He works hard to apply the knowledge and relationships he has gained in his professional life to accelerate COH’s research efforts.
Mark was born in Painted Post, New York when it was a factory village. He grew up the youngest of five kids, which gave him the predisposition to have the confidence that others will help him with seemingly impossible goals. Mark holds a BS from SUNY Geneseo and an MBA from SUNY Buffalo. Mark has, and does, sit on boards of industry groups, not for profits and technology companies, in addition to his family CPA firm and COH. Mark is eternally optimistic about “next year” for the Buffalo Bills and Sabres!
Kevin Stringer
Vice President
Kevin has been an information technology and management consultant for nearly 40 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in Computer Technology, an early ITIL-like program focusing on information technology working directly with lines of business. His background in analysis and problem solving has helped him bring a unique perspective to the organizations & patients that will benefit from Column of Hope’s efforts.
Kevin worked to found Column of Hope with the rest of the board of directors because his wife, Lisa, suffers from both Chiari malformation and syringomyelia. While she is not a surgical candidate at this time, they have dealt with the various issues surrounding these conditions. Medical issues include selecting physicians, developing treatment programs, and researching alternatives. Non-medical issues include coping, insurance, private disability, social security disability, and support organizations. In addition, they help others to avoid treading the same ground with each new diagnosis.
Kevin enjoys college football and has been a die-hard Purdue fan for 42 years and counting! Kevin and Lisa are involved in canine rescue and always have at least 3 of them lounging around their Chicago home along with a couple of (also rescued) cats.
Barbara Kane
Secretary & Treasurer
Barbara is a retired special education teacher. Her years of experience have proven to be extremely useful in aiding parents who have children with Chiari malformation (CM), syringomyelia (SM), neuropathic pain and/or spinal cord injury, among other disabling conditions.
Barbara co-founded Column of Hope with her husband, Mark, and other likeminded individuals because her daughter was diagnosed with CM and SM at an early age. Like a sizable percentage of CM and SM patients, her daughter’s initial surgery and several subsequent surgeries were not successful in relieving all her symptoms. Barbara works hard to put her expertise to use in leading Column of Hope to success because of her daughter and all the people she has come to know who are also affected by CM and SM.
Barbara volunteered with Mark at their alma mater, State University of New York at Geneseo, for many years. She especially enjoyed participating on the Family Panel at Freshman Orientations and events to teach Geneseo students networking skills. Barbara earned a Master of Science in Education, concentrating on learning and behavioral disorders, from the State University of New York College at Buffalo. For enjoyment, Barbara enjoys spending time with her family and friends, tending to her gardens, watching old movies, reading, and knitting.
Laura Holena
Director
Laura has both Chiari malformation and syringomyelia. She was diagnosed with Chiari in June 2000, while a freshman in dental school, and was forced to take a leave of absence from school because of her symptoms. In June 2001, Laura had decompression surgery for Chiari and decided to take a few years off from school, returning to dental school in 2003. In 2005, she had an increase in symptoms again and was diagnosed with a syrinx from C5-C7. Laura was advised not to have surgery for the syrinx until the symptoms became unbearable. As of today, Laura has still only had decompression surgery.
Fighting through pain and fatigue is a daily battle. It took her a little longer than normal, but Laura graduated from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in 2008. Now, she owns a private practice in Pennsylvania and is one of the only special needs dentists in her state. She treats patients who have physical, behavioral, and emotional needs beyond what a general dentist is comfortable treating. Laura even has a few patients with Chiari and/or syringomyelia. She finds it gratifying when she can connect with patients on a personal level.
Laura believes that her diagnosis has added some positive changes to her life. She met the Kane family, who introduced her to Column of Hope. She also learned how important it is to have something in your life other than work/school. Her outlet became her dogs. Laura has several chocolate labs and competes in several sports with them. She has been able to travel to more than 20 states and make friends from all over the country.
In addition to serving on the Column of Hope Board, she is also involved in other organizations:
- past President of Special Care Dentistry Association
- Vice-Chair of the Lehigh Valley Health Network Dental Clinic
- member of Dental Health Education Advisory Committee for Luzerne County Community College
- Keystone DockDogs Board
- youth coordinator for local chapter of Pheasants Forever
Although Chiari and syringomyelia are factors in her day-to-day life, Laura does not let them rule her life.
Transparency
Financials
Column of Hope's financials and profile can be found on Candid's website.
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