The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada will host a nationwide walk starting next week to bring awareness to and fundraise for brain tumour research.
Now in its 40th year, the foundation funds research to better understand and find a cure for all brain tumours, including cancerous or non-cancerous. According to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada website, the goal of the foundation is to provide support, education, information, and funding for brain tumour research. Funded solely by donations, those wishing to donate can visit the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada website.
According to a press release from the Brain Tumour Foundation, $8.9 million has been allocated since 1982 towards finding a cure and improving treatment for patients with brain tumours.
Taking place between June 17 and 19 this year, the annual Brain Tumour Walk brings families and patients together to raise awareness about the tumours.
The walk can be completed on any day throughout the weekend. Participants choose how long they walk for, how many kilometres they cover, and where they want to walk.
To register for the event, those interested can do so online at bit.ly/3H1bI7R, where they have the option of joining a team or walking as an individual.
“This event means that we’re going to be helping to save lives and hopefully one day see a cure to brain tumours,” said Airdrie resident Christine Newlove, who is joining the Brain Tumour walk for the first time on June 18.
“I’m excited to create awareness and help make a difference,” she added.
Joining her family, they will spend an hour walking around Nose Creek Regional Park with posters and signs to advocate for the foundation and to show support for Newlove’s sister, Sheri, who is currently receiving treatment for a grade-two astrocytoma in British Columbia.
After suffering a grand mal seizure, Sheri was diagnosed with the brain tumour and underwent surgery in an attempt to remove it. Grade-two astrocytoma brain tumours often have rough edges, making it nearly impossible to remove the cancerous tumour.
Unfortunately, Sheri’s tumour was not able to be removed completely. Sheri has received six weeks of radiation and is currently undergoing nine months of chemotherapy.
Currently, there is no cure for the invasive tumour.
“That’s why my family and I walk for Sheri and for everyone else, all the other Canadians that are going through this,” Newlove said.
Newlove has created a walking page for her sister and those wanting to sponsor Newlove, and her family and friends can donate online at bit.ly/3tmnljP.
To celebrate her sister and bring awareness to the cause, Newlove and her family will be wearing bright coloured clothes and will be carrying balloons and a banner.
“This event just gives us hope,” Newlove said. “Our hope is as long as we are positive through the difficult diagnosis of a brain tumour….It gives you the strength to keep going and just not to give up.”
