Description

Join us bright and early for breakfast and conversation. It is a great way to start your day. Let's meet at 7:30 am with fellow WIBA members as we have coffee and network, then get seated for breakfast and continue valuable conversations. 

We have an impactful story from Blake Benton with Coming Together for a Cure. His journey from helping his brother to starting a non-profit for DMD.

Dedicated to expanding access to stem cell therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and other rare diseases and chronic conditions. In 2008, Blake's brother Ryan became the first person with DMD to be successfully treated thanks to mesenchymal stem cells. This inspired Blake to drive broader adoption of this therapy.

In 2014, while completing his degree at K-State, Blake and Ryan established Coming Together For A Cure, (CTFAC), a 501c3 nonprofit. Blake then helped Ryan as his Primary Caregiver for 5+ years while advancing CTFAC's mission. Over the past decade, CTFAC has supported over 400 families globally seeking therapy and formed partnerships with various industry leaders. Since 2008, they have hosted an annual fundraiser in Wichita, which attracts an average of 1,000 attendees to the Concert in the Country. Recently, CTFAC finished their feature documentary, The Sunshine Dreamer which is part of an extensive global advocacy campaign.

In 2024, CTFAC is making major strides in accomplishing its primary goal of starting the first large clinical trial in the US using mesenchymal stem cell therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Blake's background in enterprise software, strategic planning, and firsthand understanding of challenges facing the rare disease equips him to help pioneer solutions to make this therapy accessible and affordable while always putting the patient's needs first.

Blake was born and raised in Wichita and attended Wichita Northwest High School before graduating from Kansas State University. His wife is a registered nurse, and they live in west Wichita.