Why we started Team Burkespeed

“We walked our first brain tumor walk in 2014 with our brother Justin by my side, he was our team captain. He was our "WHY". In 2004 he went in for brain surgery to remove a large Meningioma brain tumor. He went into surgery uncertain he would walk or talk again. With the help of his amazing doctors, family and friends he was able to do everything he did before his surgery with the exception of getting back on his dirt bike. He walked to give others hope and to help raise awareness. In 2015 he was asked to speak at the Southern California Brain tumor walk in Hermosa Beach. Justin was so honored. The title of his speech was "Sharing Hope", the words carved into his gray brain tumor awareness bracelet that he wore every day.

Justin went 17 years with clean scans.

In 2022, our lives forever changed. At the age of 41, he went in for a brain bleed and later was diagnosed with “Glioblastoma brain cancer. He refused to give up and fought hard for his family. He wanted to inspire others to look at him and say "because of you, I didn't give up". Justin lost his battle to GBM on July, 26, 2022. Justin was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. He was loved by all.

He will be forever our "WHY" and we will continue raising awareness in his honor.”