Harry’s PBR Fund

Harry’s PBR Fund for Lung Cancer Research

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The IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center is the grateful recipient of gifts honoring Harry Turula through Harry’s PBR Fund for Lung Cancer Research.

Harry Turula

Harry Warren Turula was born Oct. 13, 1955, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis to Harry and Nancy Turula. He graduated from Vincennes University in 1976 and was a loyal member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. On May 12, 1989, he married Elyse Ann Pauloski. Harry loved working with his hands and spent 36 years as a carpenter and maintenance technician for the Indiana Department of Corrections. Together, Harry and Elyse loved life and lived it to its fullest.

Harry appreciated golf, his beloved friends and family – and cheap beer. Pabst’s Blue Ribbon (PBR) and Hamm’s were his favorites. As an avid sports fan, he cheered for the Colts, Indiana University basketball and football and the Chicago Cubs. He was also passionate about the Indy 500 and A.J. Foyt and enjoyed everything about the Month of May in Indianapolis. He loved March Madness but was equally intrigued by curling and the Tour de France. 

In 2016, Harry was diagnosed with lung cancer. He and Elyse first met with Dr. Nasser Hanna at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center on March 18 of that year. Though Harry fought bravely without complaining and had excellent medical care, he died Halloween night of 2017. 

Since then, Elyse has been an amazing steward of Harry and his mother’s wishes by creating a fund with a name that gives homage to Harry’s favorite beverage as well as Elyse’s desire to create a Pray Believe Research legacy for him. Thus, Harry’s PBR Fund for Lung Cancer Research was born. 

This fund supports lung cancer research in memory of Harry’s indelible impact on all those he loved. This fund also shows appreciation for Dr. Hanna’s skill, compassion, honesty, and perfect timing. Learn more about the incredible work taking place in lung cancer research at IU

Despite her terrible loss, Elyse has chosen to advance lung cancer research with the goal of preventing other families from enduring such grief. We are incredibly grateful. 

Cheers to Harry and Elyse!

Ways to Give

There are many ways to support Harry’s PBR Fund for Lung Cancer Research:

Give Now

Give online via credit card
To make a credit card gift, please call 812-855-8311 or 800-558-8311.

Give via check

Please make your check payable to “IU Foundation/Harry’s PBR Fund” and mail to:
IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center
c/o IU Foundation
PO Box 7072
Indianapolis, IN 46207

Other gifts

If you have any questions or would like to give via cash wire, stock transfer, or donor-advised fund, please contact Amber Senseny at 317-278-4510.

A Labor of Love: Elyse Turula, Volunteer Extraordinaire

Elyse is the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center’s most active volunteer. In Harry’s memory, she donates hours of her time to the Cancer Resource Center and CompleteLife Program, serves as a volunteer and research advocate as a member of the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center Development Board, and is the advocacy chair for the cancer center’s End Lung Cancer Now (ELCN) initiative.

Learn more about Elyse’s work with ELCN

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Elyse has also served as moderator of a Simon Says Expert Series session.

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