Chapter 99: Brain Cancer, I hate you.
Photos from Left to Right: 1) Still rocking this massive scar, but it’s now hidden under new hair. 2) Tattoo: No Mud, No lotus. Brain cancer is my “mud.” 3) Magic by Shari Fleming Photography
I hate cancer every day, but today I hate it even more than usual.
I’ll start by saying that I’m ok. My brain cancer continues to be in the equivalent of “remission,” called “no evidence of disease” in the brain cancer world, but as anyone living with cancer can tell you, even when the cancer isn’t wreaking physical chaos on our bodies, it is always causing mental pain.
Not a day goes by that I do not think about my cancer. I would bet this is true for most people living with incurable cancer. This becomes especially taxing when we look “normal.” Others forget we are fighting invisible battles and facing emotional challenges many cannot even begin to contemplate.
This week alone, I learned that one of my brain cancer buddies passed away and another is staring his transition into hospice care. These amazing men in their 30s have families and friends who will always wonder why they did not get more time together. I hate this. I know I cannot change their situations, or those of so many others facing more aggressive forms of brain cancer than I am, but I will use my voice to advocate and raise awareness for this terrible disease as long as I am still on this Earth.
I don’t know why I have been given more time than others on this journey, but I will not waste it. Brain cancer is highly underfunded and understudied. It impacts children and adults, no age is spared. There is no screening for brain cancer and symptoms do not usually present until the cancer is very advanced.
Today, I am making donations. I am personally donating over $1000 to the American Brain Tumor Association, the Brain Tumor Network, and the MN Brain Tumor 5K Musella Foundation. I will also be signing up for a monthly donation to Fighting Pretty’s Fight Club.
I will also be donating 100% of all book sale profits to these organizations from now through the end of May, the month of brain cancer awareness.
I passionately believe in all of these foundations and the work they do to raise funding and awareness for brain tumor research, treatment, and support.
You can help. I invite you to join me in supporting the following nonprofit organizations financially or non-financially.
Financial ways to support:
American Brain Tumor Association: https://www.abta.org/ways-to-donate/
Brain Tumor Network: https://www.braintumornetwork.org/donate/
MN Brain Tumor 5K: https://www.wizathon.com/walktoendbraintumors-mn/?p=display&action=participant_Page&id=91886
Fighting Pretty’s Fight Club: https://www.fightingpretty.org/fightclub (not exclusively for brain cancer, but for women facing all types of cancer)
There are also many other ways to support without financial donations. Share the blogs, books, and stories of cancer warriors. Sign up for these free events:
Non-financial ways to support:
MN Brain Tumor 5K
No donation necessary. Join my team at
https://www.wizathon.com/walktoendbraintumors-mn/?p=display&action=team_Page&id=7622
National Brain Tumor Society
Head for the Hill – a virtual event where people around the country will share stories and advocate for the federal government to make strategic investments in brain tumor research, improve health care delivery, reduce health disparities, and more. https://braintumor.org/your-voice/head-to-the-hill/
Endurance Events: Are you a runner? I’m not! But, here’s a neat opportunity for those who are: https://braintumor.org/our-events/gray-nation-endurance/
Many other non-running options: https://braintumor.org/take-action/ways-to-give/
American Brain Tumor Association:
Find a local 5K in your area: https://www.abta.org/get-involved/bt5k/
Host your own fundraiser (golf, music festival, pasta dinner, endless possibilities) https://give.abta.org/campaign/host-your-own/c244149
Thanks for helping. Your support inspires me.
Fondly,
Courtney
© CB2022