Winery cofounder creates fund for cancer families' non-medical costs

A California winery cofounder launched a fund to pay for travel, lodging, meals, childcare, and home modifications that families face during brain cancer treatment. The fund, called Grapes for Glioblastoma, channels money through a fiscal sponsorship with the Edward Charles Foundation so payments go to caregivers or contractors instead of patients.

Kim Busch said the idea formed while sitting in medical center waiting rooms and noticing other patients who could not afford family members to accompany them. She noted that glioblastoma, the most common aggressive brain tumor in adults, carries a median survival of 12 to 16 months and a five-year survival rate below 10 percent.

How the fund works The fund covers costs that typically range from hundreds to several thousand dollars a month and are not reimbursed by insurance. It has assisted two families so far, including arranging caregiver support within days for a Colorado couple after their planned helper died suddenly.

Busch said the approach differs from large-scale philanthropy that focuses on research or systemic change. A portion of every bottle sold at Folded Hills winery now goes to the fund, and the winery continues its monthly Philanthropy Friday events that donated more than $200,000 in 2025.

Business background Folded Hills is a 600-acre ranch, vineyard, and farmstead near Santa Barbara that Busch and her husband started in 2017. The operation is now led entirely by women, including its general manager, CFO, director of hospitality, wine club manager, and winemaker.

Busch said the family left St. Louis to raise their sons away from the Busch brewing name and declined to discuss net worth figures. She expects additional recipients once more families learn about the fund.