When Nick Betik looks back on the years he shared with his wife, Emilee, what rises to the top are the optimistic moments. He cherishes those memories and even fondly recalls the tough times. “When things were their most difficult, what kept us centered was that there could be good moments every day.”
A lot can happen over the course of 30 years: marriages, new homes, job changes and children. For Murray Cass, the past three decades have brought all of these things, plus something more: the journey with a brain tumour. Murray is a three-time brain tumour survivor, with 1982 marking his first diagnosis.
Seven years ago, Jim Gibson was given a prognosis that shook him and his family to their core: he was told he had less than one year to live. Since then, Jim has not only beaten the odds and survived, but he’s become a passionate fundraiser for patient care and brain tumour research. Now this brain tumour fighter, as he prefers to be called, is lacing up again to participate in Spring Sprint.
February 28, 2012 is a day that Adrian Nadeau may not remember well, but it was one that changed his life. It was that day that Adrian learned he had a brain tumour. And now this newly-diagnosed brain tumour patient wants to share his story in support of the May 26 Fredericton Spring Sprint.
One of the many teams coming together for the Chatham-Kent Spring Sprint is Team Hope, led by local survivor Sarah. In June 2011, after several months of headaches, vision problems and balance trouble, Sarah’s symptoms hit a critical point. After a morning of nausea and a severe headache, she decided to leave work early. During the drive home, she felt extremely unwell, pulled her car over and called for a ride.
It was August of 1985 when Shelley Fitak first began to learn about brain tumours. It was then that her first husband, Bob Thierman, was diagnosed with a brain tumour. At the time, little was known about brain tumours. In addition, there was very little support or information available across Canada ...
The past year and a half have been challenging for brain tumour survivor, Tom Moran, but that doesn’t slow him down on what he calls his, “BT [brain tumour] Adventure.” Now, Tom’s taking on the task of volunteering with the May 6 Kitchener-Waterloo Spring Sprint in support of Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.
The most unforgettable day of Cheryl Vollrath’s life happened in July 2002, when she was told that a large, orange-sized mass was growing in her brain. When she reflects on her journey, she notes that sometimes, the world works in mysterious ways.
An otherwise typical workday, she called her brother and left a message that she would not be able to drive herself home, would he be able to pick her up? She does not remember this.
Canada Day 2011 is burned into Collège Boréal President Denis Hubert-Dutrisac’s memory. For Denis, it was the day that his wife, long-time educator, community leader and professional Francine Chartrand-Dutrisac began her journey with a brain tumour.
In February 2010, following about a month of morning vomiting, grade nine student Sam and his parents received the shocking diagnosis of a grade two Astrocytoma. Not long afterwards he bravely underwent surgery during which, most of the tumour, located on his brain stem was removed. Today, he is a thriving grade 11 student who loves film editing and photography.
Andrew remembers the day clearly – it was Friday, June 3, 1977 when he, at just ten years of age, and his parents received the news from his doctor. Andrew had a brain tumour. Diagnosed with a large Medulloblastoma, Andrew was treated through surgery, 6.5 weeks of radiation and over one year of chemotherapy. “I was told by my neurologist that I would have side-effects for the rest of my life, but what they would be and when they would occur was anyone’s guess.”
The “perfect blend of shy and outgoing,” pharmacy technician Amy Olsson was proud to be the mother of baby Evan and wife to her husband of seven years, Lars. The summer of 2010 was full of balancing the care of a one-year old and work while enduring headaches, numbness in her fingers and some vision problems.
After he passed away from an oligodendroglioma brain tumour in 2009, Marvin Kuretzky’s sister Rene decided that his legacy as a gentle, kind and hopeful person should live on and help support the fight against brain tumours.
When Guelph resident Tanya Lea was diagnosed with multiple brain tumours at the age of 40, she was shocked. Falling sick had been the furthest thing from her mind. An active and independent woman, she was scared but also determined to live the best life possible.
In early 2011, Lin-Pei was eagerly awaiting the arrival of her first child and had no idea how her life would soon change. She has written her story about being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour and how she has found hope and support including a phenomenal fundraising campaign for Spring Sprint.
When Jessica Laing was 14-years-old, her father Paul Miller was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Today, as MISS CANADA NORTH AMERICA 2013, she is lending her voice to the cause of action and awareness about brain tumours.
When Albertans Andrea and Kent Wierenga married in August 2007, they chose to commemorate their special day, not with your typical wedding favour, but with donations to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada and the Alberta Cancer Foundation. A brain tumour survivor, Andrea ...
Learning how to walk and talk again is not something most adults have to face. For Ben Seewald, this was the reality he met when he began his journey with a brain tumour at the age of eighteen. Diagnosed with a central neurocytoma in the summer between his Grade 12 and OAC years in high school, the former track and football captain says he wasn’t the only person affected by his brain tumour. “It was a big surprise, the diagnosis. And it impacted not just me, but my entire family.”
In 2003, Lisa heard the words that no parent should ever have to hear, “your four-year old son has a brain tumour.” That’s how she and her husband Rick learned that little Cole had a brain stem glioma. Lisa shares Cole's story and the motivation of the family to support important fundraising that gives hope to brain tumour survivors and their families.
Like everyone else, Rebecca Goga values her sight and appreciates how lucky she is — even though, since birth, she has seen her world through only one eye. But what an amazing world it is, filled with many interests, hobbies and books. And, for Becky, reading has always been a serious passion.
Richard Motyka’s brain tumour journey is a symbol of inspiration and courage for those within his family. His strength of character, individual bravery, and generosity of spirit has drawn family and friends together to support his continuing battle.
In 2001, Shelley Wouters was a young mother, just finishing her maternity leave with her son. She was looking forward to what was coming next including the possibility of a sibling for Ben. So it was a shock to Shelley, her husband Jeff, and the entire community when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Vicki Jackson’s father Dave Ozard vividly remembers the afternoon when his 36-year-old daughter, a mother to two young boys, first said she was worried she might have a brain tumour. It was the summer of 2009 and Vicki and he were sitting in his backyard chatting. Some odd symptoms that she had been experiencing were becoming more troublesome...
The cliché is; “when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade,” and activist Femma Norton brings this saying to life by taking the many lemons she has been given and squeezing the most out of them. Her sheer optimism and determination have led to important efforts for the brain tumour community in Canada.
