The skilled surgeons at OHSU removed the tumor a couple days later and most of us felt it was a close call, assuming they had removed the tumor and Christy would be fine and make a full recovery. Only a few short weeks later she was diagnosed with Glioblastoma. Before her diagnosis, I don’t remember ever even hearing the word “Glioblastoma” and had no idea what it was. My wife received some information from a friend who had experience with this particular form of cancer. He introduced us to Dellann Elliott, CEO of the Chris Elliott Fund. Dellann gave me a lot of information, introduced me to exceptional health care providers, and quickly became a trusted resource.

The rest of the story belongs to Christy. It’s her journey and we are here to support her, which is why I’m walking this year, for the first time ever – to support friends and family fighting brain cancer. I walk because I want to be there for others when they get that call in the early morning hours and have no idea what Glioblastoma means, or how they should react to news that a dear friend has a malignant brain tumor.

Glioblastoma is a devastating disease that 22,000 people will be diagnosed with this year. Half of those diagnosed will live more than one year and less than 5% will make it past 5 years. As bleak as the statistics are, progress is being made but it depends on support. So while I’m walking to support Christy, I’m also walking to support the researchers, doctors and social workers that are working to cure this disease. I walk with team CEF because Dellann Elliott and the Chris Elliott Fund helped us find answers. I want to make that information available to everyone that needs it. I want to support the people that do not yet know they need, so when the time comes they have everything they need to fight this disease.

Please join us in the 2011 Seattle Brain Cancer walk. Go to www.chriselliottfund.org and look for the “Walk” link under the events tab (direct link).

This past weekend my team and I exhibited at the Seattle Seahawks 12K run, and passed out awareness bracelets, collateral, and talked to crowds of people about brain cancer and what we can all do to make a difference.  It was amazing to hear the stories from the other people, just by simply being present, listening, and enlightening them about new treatments, clinical trials, and advanced brain cancer treatment in the Seattle area. 

Speaking of awareness, we are so in love with our fans on our facebook page, and one of our fans reached out and is willing to play our :30 PSA TV spots that feature Jean Smart as our celebrity spokesperson endorsing brain cancer awareness.  This is huge for us, as our local TV campaign now becomes national thanks to Jim Hays at WLTX TV.  Thank you Jim.

If anyone else can help us spread awareness nationally, or works for a TV station like Jim, please comment below and let us know.

Awareness doesn’t stop with Jim Hays, as we have been extremely busy lately, building brain cancer awareness.  Jean Smart also recorded radio PSA’s for us which will be running on KIRO TV and My Northwest  during brain cancer awareness month in May.  Yes, May is brain cancer awareness month.  You can also listen to the PSA’s.

I have the honor of speaking at our Sammamish Chamber meeting this Thursday, and enlightening more people about brain cancer and what we can do to beat this disease.  My talk will be simple, straight forward, and from the heart.  This is an orphan disease that needs awareness and people need to be educated about what to do, where to go before a loved one is diagnosed with brain cancer.  So, on that note, I am honored to be a speaker at this thursday’s meeting, and will also be speaking in August as well. 

I have also been building brain cancer awareness at my Rotary Club Meetings, and must have made a good impact in some way, as I was voted in this evening as a Board Member, as the new face for the Sammamish Rotary Club.  I enjoy this entitlement because it allows me to spread the word and do what I do best: build brain cancer awareness while working in my community. 

One of our major initiatives this month is building awareness for brain cancer by partaking in the 3rd Annual Seattle Brain Cancer Walk.  We have been out there really promoting the Walk, and we would like to ask you to get involved and join us in the Walk or donate to the Team CEF Walk page and help us reach our goal of $75,000.  Jean Smart will be walking with us this year, and we are so grateful.  She lost her sister, Georgia, three months ago, to Glioblastoma Multiforme.  In one way or another, all of us are affected by this disease.  Help us EndBrainCancer by donating or joining the CEF page on ABC2.org.