3rd Annual Seattle Brain Cancer Walk is held Saturday, June 26, 8:30 AM–1:00 PM, beginning at the Seattle Center. Alki resident Maria Hoppe is leading "Team Irene" in the fundraiser. Her mother, Irene, passed away from the disease at age 65, in August, 2009. This photo was taken at last year's Walk.
The 3rd Annual Seattle Brain Cancer Walk is held Saturday, June 26, 8:30 AM–1:00 PM, beginning at the Seattle Center. Alki resident Maria Hoppe is leading "Team Irene" with about 15, including her husband, Eric, their two kids, Andrew, 15, and Katherine, 12, brothers and friends, some coming in from the Bay Area where Maria's mother Irene lived, was treated for brain cancer, and where she passed away at age 65, in August, 2009. The walk will raise money for research and increase support for families and caregivers of those with brain cancer.
"When my mother was diagnosed I was surprised how many others have had brain cancer," said Maria. "It turns out my neighbor lost his father to the disease, too, and his family will join our team. My mom was still working at Cisco Systems in the Silicon Valley while she was being treated at UCSF. I reached out to her co-workers there to sponsor our team. My mom was really popular there, and they have been very receptive.
"I think that people don't realize just how prevalent brain cancer is," added Maria. It's shocking how many people are diagnosed. Every age, race, and both genders get the diagnosis. When Ted Kennedy died I had hoped the media would have helped spread awareness of the disease. The press never did not do much coverage about his illness itself, glioblastoma, which is what my mother also had. He and my mom were diagnosed two weeks apart, and died within two weeks apart."
According to the Seattle Brain Cancer Walk press release:
"100 percent of the Seattle Brain Cancer Walk proceeds benefit the Pacific Northwest region’s most promising brain cancer research projects, including the Ben and Catherine Ivy Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment at the Swedish Neuroscience Institute. The Ben and Catherine Ivy Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment offers new hope to brain cancer patients through access to the latest clinical trials, personalized treatment options based on a patient’s unique genetic make-up, and an integrated-care approach that improves outcomes and quality of life."
For more information on the walk, and to donate, check out www.http://events.abc2.org/site/TR/Events/Seattle?fr_id=1060&pg=entry
