"John Borota was my grandfather and a truly amazing person. We talked almost every day and he had a huge impact on my life as well as anyone who knew him. I am honored to continue his legacy through the John Borota Foundation. We intend to make a difference."
- John Kolar
About John
1940-2022
John Borota was born in Kewanee Illinois in 1940. After attending Wethersfield High School and Western Illinois University, he worked as a financial advisor for Edward Jones settling in Quincy, Illinois with his wife Sharon and son John. He was soon asked to be a Partner at the Edward Jones Home office in St. Louis Mo. and was responsible for the hiring of new financial advisors. John was a vital force in the growth of the company, overseeing the hiring of thousands of advisors across the country.
After 30 years of service and the passing of his wife Sharon, John retired to Horseshoe Bay Texas. John was known by most in the community as "Johnny B," for his outgoing personality, zest for life, and generous support of many local charities. John later met Kay and then remarried. In 2014, John was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow plasma cells. He and his wife Kay were determined to fight this cancer and educated themselves about the disease. After 8 years of fighting multiple myeloma, John passed away in January 2022.
John's personal cancer treatment led him to establish a multiple myeloma research grant that supports clinical trials at Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis. Donations to the foundation go directly to that research against Multiple Myeloma.
The John Borota Foundation was established in the last year of John Borota's life with a goal to support causes that have an immediate impact to fight multiple myeloma cancer. The Foundation directs 100% of the donations received to the John Borota Research Fund at the Siteman Cancer Center.
Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow, disrupting the immune system, damaging bones, and impairing kidney function. While it's not currently curable, advances in treatment have made it more manageable, helping many patients live longer, fuller lives. Those advances in treatment come as a result of often donation-funded clinical research. Every donation matters.
Donations Make a Difference
Survival rates have improved significantly,
rising from approximately 24%
in the 1970s to nearly 60% in recent
years, reflecting progress in therapeutic options.
Source: Scientific Reports
In the United States, incidence rates have increased by approximately 40% since 1990.
Make a donation
100% of donations go toward research to combat multiple myeloma.
Frequency
One time
Monthly
Yearly
Amount
$500
$1,000
$5,000
Other
If you would prefer to mail your donation, please make your check out to The John Borota Foundation and send to: 12551 Highfield Circle, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202.
The Impact We Make
Why Donate to Multiple Myeloma Research?
Multiple myeloma is a relentless and complex blood cancer that affects thousands of lives each year. Despite significant advancements in treatment, it remains incurable and many patients face limited options after initial therapies stop working.
At the John Borotoa Foundation, we are committed to changing that reality. Your donation fuels clinical research at the Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis, Missouri, a nationally recognized leader in cancer innovation. Through targeted grants, we help accelerate promising breakthroughs in multiple myeloma treatments, giving patients access to cutting-edge therapies and renewed hope.
Every dollar you give supports:
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Life-saving research and clinical trials
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New approaches to treatment that improve quality of life and extend survival
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Opportunities for patients in underserved communities to access advanced care
When you support multiple myeloma research, you're not just funding science - you're investing in real people, real families, and real futures.
Together, we can move closer to a cure.
John and Kay Borota
Contact Us
The magic that was John
By emailing us your photos of John, you grant The John Borota Foundation permission to use them on this website and in any related marketing or promotional materials, both digital and print. If you prefer to email pictures to us directly, please send your email to buybrka@aol.com.