In June 2024, our 35-year-old daughter, Tori, underwent brain surgery to remove a tumor that was causing her to have seizures; in July 2024 she was diagnosed with Grade 4, Glioblastoma (GBM). This rare brain cancer is extremely aggressive with a devastatingly low survival rate. On average there are only 14,000 new cases a year! Since this form of cancer is so rare, there have been little advances in treatment and not enough funds allocated to research for cures. Please join Tiia and I in our effort to beat this and help others do the same!

On Sunday, November 3, here in Richmond, we will be participating in the Virginia Brain Tumor 5K Walk and Race at Bryan Park. It will begin with a Remembrance Ceremony at 10am, Survivor Tribute at 10:20am, and a pre-walk stretch and warm up at 10:50. We will be offering custom 'Tori's Army' t-shirts for race day for $20 each. Please email me (k.kokal@outlook.com) with your shirt size and we will have them ready for you before the race! The deadline for ordering is October 1. If you sign up before October 1, you will also receive a LifeStraw water bottle compliments of Juan Marcelino and his company, LifeStraw.

If you cannot join us here in Richmond, please consider making a donation to the National Brain Tumor Society, which can be done here on this page.

The National Brain Tumor Society is committed to defeating brain tumors and improving the quality of patients’ lives. NBTS unrelentingly invest in, mobilize, and unite the brain tumor community to discover a cure, deliver effective treatments, and advocate for patients and caregivers.

Thank You for listening and Thank You your consideration.

Kevin & Tiia Kokal

Garrett Sawyer Kokal & Taylor Kokal Seawell