(WIVT/WBGH) - Two local organizations recently hit milestones in raising money for important causes.

StacheStrong is a nonprofit that raises awareness and funding for brain cancer research. It was founded in memory of GJ Gerner, a Vestal High School graduate who passed away in 2019 at the age of 30.

StacheStrong just reached a milestone of $5 million raised since its founding in 2018.

Local charity Auchinachie Cares donated $1,000 check to StacheStrong on Friday, which marked Auchinachie's milestone of $100,000 given back to the community.

StacheStrong CEO and Cofounder, and GJ's brother Colin Gerner says he is glad he can help others who are going through what he once did.

"This is like a passion project, we have the ability, we've gone through a very difficult thing. I've talked to

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