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Brotherly Love: Tubing Down The Delaware River For A Good Cause

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- Once a year, on a lazy afternoon on the Delaware River, hundreds of people go tubing with dozens of their friends and families. But, there's more to it says Rick Oniskey, Public Relations Director for the JAG Fund.

"That was Joel's favorite past time," said Oniskey.

Oniskey is talking about Joel Gingras, a Doylestown man full of life. But it was a life cut short when a tumor was found in Joel's brain. His mother Mary says, "That was devastating, I'll never forget the day he came home and told me."

Mary said in June 1989 her son underwent treatment, but by October he had passed away.

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"I was with him every day, never dreaming that we were going to lose him," Gingras said.

Joel's family and friends were determined not to lose his memory. They also wanted to help others, and combined it with something Joel loved -- tubing. They started a fund and named it after Joel A. Gingras -- The JAG Fund. In 20 years, Oniskey says, they've raised a lot of money for brain tumor research.

"We have raised well over $1 million since 1989, and we've donated approximately $1.2 million to the American Brain Tumor Association."

Jonathan Gingras, President of the JAG Fund says, it has raised more private dollars for the American Brain Tumor Association than anyone. There's also a golf outing and a gala at the Union League in Center City. All in the name of fun, and in the memory of a young man, who died too soon.

"I have to believe he's there watching and he's part of it and that makes it special for us," said Gingras.

For more on the JAG Fund, their tubing adventure, golf outing and gala at the Union League, please visit www.jagfund.org and for more on the American Brain Tumor Association, please visit www.abta.org or call 847-827-9910.

Reported by Dave Huddleston, CBS 3

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