Brain Tumor Awareness Month

No, this post has nothing to do with all my grey hairs. Even though that could be a post in itself, I’ll leave that topic for another day. May is national Brain Tumor awareness month. This month I am going grey for Brain Tumors.

It’s crazy that just two months ago I didn’t know anything about May being brain tumor awareness month, Head for the Cure, or much less brain cancer at all. Things change quickly, way too quickly as I learned with Kai being diagnosed and passing away 15 days later.

The Facts – There are over 120 different types of brain tumors, with only 4 of those that have treatments approved by the FDA. Each year 70,000 people will be diagnosed with a brain tumor and each year 15,000 people will die from a brain tumor. Brain Tumors are the 2nd leading cause of death in children (behind leukemia).

To some, this might be a number. Honestly, I get that. It was to me too. It doesn’t become reality until it affects you or someone you know. But, with a large classroom (40 people) full of people dying every day from a brain tumor, chances are it may impact you one day too. We must fight for a cure! Not only did we lose Kai, but it seems more stories are starting to develop around me. There were too many connections at the race this past weekend and my friend lost her mom this past Monday to /brain cancer. It is happening too often, and unlike so many other organizations including Race for the Cure, brain cancer doesn’t get the attention, have the money to research, or have a cure. As said, only 4 types of the tumor have approved treatments.

Stella and Dot – Despite the fact that my sweet friend Staci lives 4 hours away and just had her 3rd kid, she is so graciously doing a Stella and Dot party in honor of Kai. 20% of the proceeds will go to Head for the Cure. Because many have asked how they can help or where they can donate, I wanted to extend this offer to everyone who wants to buy a fun piece of jewelry and raise money in honor of Kai. To do so please go here and under the RSVP there is an option to shop online. All Dallas friends are welcome to join the party at my house as well.

Head for the Cure – Similar to Race for the Cure for breast cancer, Head for the Cure is a race that raises money for brain cancer research. Just 7 days after Kai went to be with Jesus, we had 40ish people come out to race for Head for the Cure in Austin.

Team Kai in Austin

This past weekend, Head for the Cure was in Dallas. Shawn and Aki and Maya came up for the race as well as two of their friends from Austin. We had 30 people come out and race for Kai and the sweet thing about it was many of them were my friends who had never even met him. I was overwhelmed by all the support and love and the fact that people would sacrifice their Saturday mornings to be there for our family and raise money for brain cancer research.

Team Kai in Dallas

The sign along the race. #lovewins

My Sister in law and niece

Sweet friends from church

Sweet friends from our old church

Sweet coworkers

Austin friends and family racing for Kai!

Family

Maya after finishing her 2nd 5K for her brother

I’m going grey this month – All in honor of this sweet boy. We miss you Kai!