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On Sunday, May 7, 2023, I will once again, be participating in the Race for Hope – DC. The Race for Hope-DC brings together the brain cancer community to raise awareness and funds to support the needs of brain tumor patients and their families. This event, unites the brain tumor community– including patients, donors, families, businesses and friends – to support and honor those affected by the more than 120 types of brain tumors, and to rally for better treatments and ultimately a cure.
I am proud to announce that this year, my 11-year old granddaughter Kendal Cunningham , will also be participating in this event. Kendal was 7 months old when her dad, Mark Cunningham, was diagnosed with brain cancer (glioblastoma). Sadly, Mark lost his 7-year battle with Glioblastoma on November 14, 2019 at the age of 35. Kendal was seven years old.
Kendal has been a brain cancer advocate since she was just a little girl. She participated in her first brain cancer 5K when she was six years old in Orlando, FL. Kendal would also accompany us to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL while Mark received treatments. Even though Kendal was very young, she witnessed the devasting impact of GBM on her dad and her family. The BRAIN (Bringing Information and Resources Now) Cancer Foundation of the Treasure Coast) was established by her dad and her mom in May 2019, shortly before Mark was lost to glioblastoma.
In addition to walking in remembrance of Mark, we walk to pay tribute to others lost to brain tumors and for those courageous survivors who are currently battling brain tumors.
Mark endured the standard medical treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and infusions) as well as clinical trials. Even with these aggressive treatment and clinical trials, we only got 7 more years—not nearly enough. Mark was inspired to raise public awareness and fund raising for brain cancer research. Although GBM had taken its toll on Mark physically he still participated in the Race for Hope-DC event in 2018 and 2019.
Mark fought brain cancer with courage and determination. He never gave up hope. People diagnosed with glioblastoma have a 5% chance of living more than 5 years. In the last 40 years, there have been only 3 approved drug therapies for brain tumors, and only one device approved by the FDA. But increased funding raised through events such as Race for Hope-DC and new research initiatives are beginning to create new momentum toward an array of treatments that could extend lifespans and make brain tumors a more manageable disease.
Please join in our effort to help find a cure for this dreadful disease. All donations are appreciated and will go a long way to help us find a cure for brain tumors! Every dollar helps! Collectively we can help raise hope, public awareness and funding.
Thank you for your support!
National Brain Tumor Society is fiercely committed to finding a cure for brain tumors. They are aggressively driving strategic research; advocating for public policies that meet the critical needs of the brain tumor community; and providing comprehensive patient, family and caregiver resources. Your support ensures this important work will continue.
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