Stories - Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada

Courage Cause Marketing Adult February 4, 2020

Living and Fighting with Cushing’s Disease – Danielle’s Story

Danielle is a brain tumour survivor who first shared her story in 2015. Five years later, she has graciously provided […]

Community January 24, 2020

Stay Positive and Enjoy the Moment – Roberta’s Story

Four years ago, Roberta and her family did something truly adventurous. They sold their family home and bought a campground […]

Courage Adult January 20, 2020

Cancer as a catalyst – Jedro’s story

Grateful for a brain tumour? It’s not something that you’d expect to hear from anyone however, brain tumour survivor Jedro […]

Courage Pediatric January 17, 2020

Dig deep and find your grit – Brandon’s story

Any good hockey defenceman knows – when the puck’s in the corner, you can either wait for it to come […]

Courage Adult January 6, 2020

Invest in yourself – James’ story

James has always been a fit man – physically and mentally. It’s just part of who he is.

Pediatric December 18, 2019

Dustin’s Story

It was just a toddler taking a tumble down a couple of stairs. The doctors tried to reassure Mom that all was probably okay.

Adult December 6, 2019

Janet and Adam’s Story

Turning the same age, on the same day as my husband, never gets old. They call us, Astro-Twins.

Adult Hats October 29, 2019

Amber’s Story

I am a 43-year-old wife to John of 12 years and a very proud mom to Amelia 10, Matteo 6, and Joey 4. On March 13, 2019, my life changed.

Adult October 29, 2019

Joelle & Rob’s Story

In Sept 2004, my husband Rob was 30 yrs old and I was 8 months pregnant with our second child, days away from leaving work on maternity leave.

Adult Pediatric October 22, 2019

Alicia’s Story

Alicia is now 20 years old. She was diagnosed with a brain tumour at just six months old, so having a brain tumour is her normal.

Adult September 5, 2019

Lawrence’s Story

Lawrence, a successful businessman, is not one to take a decline in memory lightly. Lawrence was in Winnipeg, at home on leave from his job in New York City when he had his first seizure.

Youth Awards August 29, 2019

Janica’s Story

I am the recipient of your award (Youth Education Award for Brain Tumour Survivors) from 2015.When I received the award, I had this to say.

Youth Awards August 20, 2019

Christine’s Story

As part of Yun Seo Park (Christine)'s application for a Youth Education Award in 2018, she submitted this essay on her experience.

Pediatric August 15, 2019

Amanda’s Story

My name is Amanda. I am 17 years old and a 13-year brain tumour and stroke survivor. I've been living with a physical disability as a result.

Youth Awards August 15, 2019

Will’s Story

Thanks to this generous scholarship, I now have the opportunity to make my career dream come true - Youth Education Award Recipient 2019

Youth Awards August 15, 2019

Mikaela’s Story

I have always wanted to pursue my passion of helping others, and this scholarship will truly help make that happen. - Youth Education Award Recipient 2019

Youth Awards August 15, 2019

Mitchell’s Story

With his award I will be able to pursue my dreams of being a teacher. - Youth Education Award Recipient 2019

Youth Awards August 15, 2019

Sasha’s Story

Receiving this award will go a long way towards achieving a huge goal of mine to attend university. - Youth Education Award Recipient 2019

Youth Awards August 15, 2019

Danny’s Story

Youth Education Award Recipient 2019 - Having brain cancer has helped shape me into the person I am today as well as who I want to be in the future, a pediatric oncologist.

Adult August 12, 2019

Piper’s Story

Hi, I am Piper Gilles. You may know me as a world-famous ice dancer. I competed in the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

Adult August 12, 2019

Aaron’s Story

In the summer of 2017, while at work, I had my first episode of what I would now call vertigo or double vision. Something I've never experienced before.

Youth Awards July 11, 2019

Lauryn’s Story

I am very honoured to be a recipient of the 2018 Brain Tumour Foundation Youth Education Award for Young Brain Tumour Survivors

Hats June 14, 2019

Robert Maurice Caya

July 24, 2015, our lives changed horribly forever when he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Mutiforme stage 4 just after retiring.

Adult April 24, 2019

Max’s Story

It’s been ten years since Max’s diagnosis of an anaplastic mixed glioma. Beating the 18-month expectation that the neurosurgeon had.

Volunteers Adult April 19, 2019

Hazel’s Volunteer Profile

Hazel has been volunteering with Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada for almost three years. In her own words, she describes her volunteer story.

Volunteers Adult April 18, 2019

Andy’s Volunteer Profile

Andy is a doctor in Calgary who saw an opportunity through volunteering to support patients and his community. He expresses what that meant to him.

Volunteers Adult April 17, 2019

Diane’s Volunteer Profile

As a BrainWAVE and Brain Tumour Walk volunteer in British Columbia, Diane explained what it means to her to volunteer for Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.

Volunteers Pediatric April 16, 2019

Mckenna’s Volunteer Profile

At only 14 years old, Mckenna is one of Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada’s youngest volunteers. When asked about her role with us this is what she shared.

Volunteers Adult April 15, 2019

Kathy’s Volunteer Profile

“I am proud and happy to be part of the beautiful BrainWAVE / GOcervo family as a volunteer for Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada."

Adult April 9, 2019

Doug’s Adventure

Hi, my name is Doug, a current defending two-time world rowing champion. Here is just a small summary of my adventure last year.

Adult April 8, 2019

Sara’s Story

Sara’s brain tumour diagnosis came during Thanksgiving weekend 2014 when doctors discovered a golf-ball-sized tumour on her right frontal lobe.

Pediatric February 17, 2019

Kaiden and Tasha’s Story

“I wasn’t always a brain cancer mom, now that I am, I want everyone to know the signs, as all the symptoms were there, I just didn’t know what they were.”

Adult February 15, 2019

Yaron’s Story

This February 23, 2019, it will have been 15 years since I collapsed in a grand mal seizure and was subsequently diagnosed with Glioblastoma (GB).

Adult February 1, 2019

Lynn’s Story

Usually surrounded by friends and family, Lynn was alone when she heard the words: “I’m sorry to inform you… an abnormal lesion… aggressive”. A brain tumour.

Pediatric January 22, 2019

Avery’s Adventures

Its been five years since Avery was diagnosed with her unfriendly brain tumour, the Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma (JPA). What has happened since?

Adult December 28, 2018

Debbie’s Story

On January 31, 2012 I had a grand mal seizure while at work. I was admitted to hospital and found out the next day after my MRI that I had a brain tumour.

Adult November 20, 2018

Scott, my story so far

Brain tumours have different types and classifications. No two brain tumours are exactly the same and no two tumours cause the same issues.

Adult November 19, 2018

Tracey’s Story: Hope and Optimism

Headaches are like house guests. Some come and go. Others don’t want to leave; and become a real nuisance. Tracey’s headache lasted a full 6 months.

Pediatric November 1, 2018

Hayden’s Story

Eyes might be the window to the soul, but in Hayden’s case, they were telling her Mom that something was seriously wrong with her baby.

Adult October 30, 2018

Andrew’s story of being tough

What do you see when you look in the mirror? When Andrew’s friend looked at him, he saw an immensely tough person and wanted to let Andrew know.

Cause Marketing Adult October 26, 2018

More Than Fifteen Years of Generous Gifts. Since our partnership began in 2002, A.M.A. Horticulture have given over $97,915 to support brain tumour research and the organization's patient services, and are determined to hit the $100,000 mark.

Hats October 4, 2018

Tyler Patterson

My son, Tyler, wore this hat almost every minute for 16 months from age 3 when he underwent weekly chemo for an inoperable, benign brainstem tumour.

Youth Awards August 21, 2018

Maxime’s Story

This award will help me fulfill my dreams and ease my university voyage. - Youth Education Award Recipient 2014

Youth Awards August 11, 2018

Maggie’s Story

I remember the day I was diagnosed with a brain tumour. It changed everything for me and my family. - Youth Education Award Recipient 2014

Youth Awards August 11, 2018

Emily’s Story

I am extremely proud and fortunate to have received this award. - Brain Tumour Youth Education Award Recipient 2014

Youth Awards August 10, 2018

Josh’s Story

Thanks to this award, I am one step closer to achieving my goal of proving that anything is possible and that there is life after cancer. - Youth Education Award Recipient 2018

Youth Awards August 10, 2018

Elisa’s Story

Art to me is a gift. I would love to share my gift of Art with others and help heal others with Art. - Youth Education Award Recipient 2018

Youth Awards August 10, 2018

Alberto’s Story

This will give me the opportunity to grow as a person, achieve a better quality of life, and some day give back. - Youth Education Award Recipient 2018

Youth Awards August 10, 2018

McKenna’s Story

Having brain cancer is hard personally as well as financially so having this Scholarship is a tremendous relief - Youth Education Award Recipient 2018

Youth Awards August 5, 2018

Stuart’s Story

This award will allow me to continue to pursue my dream of being a sports journalist while reducing the stress money can cause. - Youth Education Award Recipient 2017

Youth Awards August 5, 2018

Sarah’s Story

Thanks to this generous support, I will be launching my career debt-free, freeing me to give myself fully to the needs of my future students. - Youth Education Award Recipient 2017

Youth Awards August 5, 2018

Max’s Story

I’m a 19 year of student from South Western Ontario who never lets a minute go by without it being wasted. - Youth Education Award Recipient 2017

Youth Awards August 5, 2018

Harshil’s Story

This scholarship will help me focus on my career instead of thinking about how I will repay my student loans. - Youth Education Award Recipient 2017

Adult August 1, 2018

Anthony’s Story / Our Story

Sharing "our" story. It’s my friend Anthony's story, but I use "our" because when someone is diagnosed with a brain tumour, they don't go through it alone.

Adult May 17, 2018

Kate’s Mum’s Story

Thankfully, my mum’s Glioblastoma never returned. Each year she went from having MRI’s every few weeks, to every few months, to twice a year.

Adult Pediatric May 17, 2018

Debbie’s Story: A Family of Caregivers

Debbie's family have all had to care for each other, be it through brain tumours (both Mom and daughter), cancer, and physical disability.

Adult February 9, 2018

Patricia’s Story

Well here is my story, I hope some inspiration is found in it. My husband and I had finally moved into our dream house, can’t ever forget that happy day!

Adult February 7, 2018

Roy and the Gamma Knife – A Happy Tale

I had headaches, almost daily, for 10 years or more. It was a rare day if I did not have a headache. I used to joke that I should own stock in headache remedy companies.

Adult Pediatric January 11, 2018

Donna’s Story – Skating through life with a brain tumour

Donna’s brain tumour had probably been in her brain since she was 8 years old. It wasn’t discovered until she was 44 years old, when it was almost fatal.

Youth Awards October 2, 2017

Andrew’s Story

Having successfully battled a brain tumour, I have experienced firsthand the benefit that biomedical technology has in saving a person’s life and want to give back in that area.

Youth Awards September 17, 2017

Stephanie’s Story

My journey as a brain tumor survivor defines who I am today. - Youth Education Award for Brain Tumour Survivors recipient 2014

Youth Awards July 22, 2016

Shivani’s Story

This award will help me achieve my dream of becoming a pediatric nurse and giving back to the profession that impacted my journey as a brain tumor survivor greatly.

Youth Awards July 22, 2016

Matthew’s Story

Cancer knocks you down, but along the way I have had the hands of family, friends and total strangers to help me back up. Youth Education Award Recipient 2016

Youth Awards July 22, 2016

Lorissa’s Story

I feel my experience has given me the strength and courage to face many challenges as well as inspire me to become a nurse - Youth Education Award Recipient 2016

Youth Awards July 22, 2016

Jordan’s Story

I am very eager to embark on a new journey and begin my first year in the Bachelor of Commerce Program. - Youth Education Award Recipient 2016

Youth Awards July 22, 2016

Charlotte’s Story

I’m thrilled to have been accepted into the University of Toronto’s Life Sciences program. - Youth Education Award Recipient 2016

Pediatric February 3, 2016

Sevanah’s Story: Grace and Faith in the Midst of Tragedy

Sevanah was an active, normal six-year-old girl who loved singing, dancing her highland steps, creating artistic masterpieces, and writing and drawing her beloved monkey stories.

Youth Awards August 17, 2015

Danielle’s Story

As a brain tumour survivor, this award means the world to me. It will give me the chance to give back to the profession that impacted and improved my life.