ABout us

Gladiator Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, was founded in 2021 by Eric and Leslie South. Eric was diagnosed with a grade IV Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) brain tumor in February 2021. Currently there is no known cure for GBM, and sadly, Eric passed away in 2023.

After his initial diagnosis, Eric had undergone successful surgery in Nashville and then participated in a clinical trial involving a combination of radiation and chemotherapy aligned specifically with the genetic markers of Eric’s tumor with the Oncology Team at the Brain and Spine Center at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas. Eric went into his trial fighting like a gladiator and came out inspired to help others do the same. After a recurrence in 2022, he had a second surgery as part of a customized vaccine clinical trial at the University of California Los Angeles. Once back at home, Eric continued with radiation and novel medication and immunotherapy treatments at Vanderbilt University Medical Center until his passing on August 31, 2023. At Gladiator Project, we are honored to continue Eric’s fight in his memory.

Eric’s passion was helping others, particularly by connecting amazing people with other amazing people. That’s what Gladiator Project is all about: connecting brain cancer patients and their families with the support they need to fight and fundraising for research to find a cure.