Students Supporting Brain Tumor Research

Honoring Marty & Wendy & 10 Years With SSBTR

At Spinato's, community is deeply personal to us. It is about showing up, standing alongside one another, and doing what we can to help, even in small ways. One of the most meaningful ways we have been able to do that over the past decade is through our relationship with Students Supporting Brain Tumor Research (SSBTR).

SSBTR was founded by Marty and Wendy, both pediatricians, in memory of their daughter, Lauren. From unimaginable loss came a mission rooted in love and hope. What started as a way to honor Lauren has grown into a powerful foundation that supports children, young adults, and families navigating life with brain tumors. Their work has changed lives, and their hearts have touched so many, including ours.

As SSBTR approaches its Silver Anniversary on February 28, 2026, it feels important to pause and recognize just how much Marty and Wendy have accomplished. Nearly $5 million raised over 25 years is an incredible milestone, but the true impact goes far beyond numbers. It is felt in the families who are supported, the research that continues forward, and the community that shows up year after year.

For the past 10 years, every February, our Spinato's team has spent one Saturday handing out slices of pizza to the walkers who come together in support of friends, family members, and children affected by this disease. It is a simple act, yet one filled with so much meaning. Sharing pizza, exchanging smiles, and being part of something bigger than ourselves is a reminder of why serving outside our walls matters so much. Whether guests know us as the best pizza near me, a neighborhood pizzeria open near me, or a place they rely on for pizza delivery in Phoenix, these moments are genuinely at the heart of who we are.

Marty and Wendy are more than founders and community leaders to us. They are dear friends. Their kindness, strength, and unwavering dedication have inspired our team year after year. While this Silver Anniversary carries a bittersweet note, it is also a powerful celebration of love turned into action and of a legacy built on compassion and service.

To Marty and Wendy 🥂, thank you for trusting us, welcoming us, and allowing us to be a small part of something so meaningful for the past decade. We are incredibly grateful for your friendship and endlessly inspired by the work you continue to do.

With gratitude,

~Jaime Spinato

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