“Tansi! Hello! My name is Rhonda Head, and I am from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Northern Manitoba.”

In 1992, Rhonda had a brain tumour, and went through an 11.5 hour-long translab surgery. When the tumour returned, she received the Gamma Knife treatment.

She remembers the journey and the number of challenges she faced– a new “normal “, putting life on hold to heal, and focusing on healing her body.

Since the inception, Rhonda has devotedly participated in the Winnipeg Brain Tumour Foundation Walk.

“I only missed two walks– once when I was in Australia, but I wore my walk t-shirt, and I posted and tagged the event,” she says.

Despite the province-wide social distancing in the throes of the pandemic, Rhonda was still able to hold her own event in Opaskwayak Cree Nation, where a good number of community members came out to walk with her.

At the start of the walk, she recalls only seeing a few participants with blue t-shirts.

“I walk to create awareness, to support other families of survivors, and to remember the ones who have succumbed to a brain tumour and are no longer with us. It is a great feeling to have that support from the community,” Rhonda advocates.

“Unfortunately, there are now more people wearing the blue t-shirts, but they are also survivors, and they have the support of the community,” she explains.

Rhonda also walks for herself.

“It’s important to continue creating awareness, so people know where to turn when they are diagnosed. It is not an easy journey, but the support from Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada really helps a lot. They have helped me, and they understand what we go through as patients,” she expresses.

On behalf of Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada and the brain tumour community:

Thank you! Rhonda Head!

Learn more about the Brain Tumour Walk and register for the event at www.braintumourwalk.ca!