Head for the Cure believes the first step to defeating brain cancer is to build more awareness about this disease. While there are currently 700,000 people in the U.S. living with a brain tumor, there is still no cure and only a few treatment choices available to patients and their families. We need to continue to raise our voices, share stories, and inform the broader community of the shocking statistics of life with a brain tumor.
Survivor Carol Wu participates in Head for the Cure events, “to raise awareness for brain tumors because many people are unaware that a brain tumor can happen to anyone, at any age, with no symptoms beforehand.”
Prior to her diagnosis, Carol was a lawyer in Australia. She moved to the states three years ago and after passing the New York Bar exam, Carol started suffering from headaches. This led doctors to find a Medulloblastoma, a tumor typically found in children.
To the relief of Carol and her family, the tumor was located in time for her to undergo surgery. However, the surgery left its mark, as Carol’s balance was affected, especially on her right side as the tumor was in her cerebellum area. Since surgery, Carol has relearned to walk, write (she can now write with both hands), speak, play piano, and paint. Prior to surgery, Carol painted realistic pieces with her right hand. After surgery, she now paints abstract art left-handed. Carol wants “people to know the impact a tumor can have on patients and families,” and those effects don’t go away as soon as treatment ends. She also wants to thank her husband and father-in-law who took care of her in the most difficult time of her life.
In honor of Brain Tumor Awareness Month, join Carol and the Seattle brain tumor community in the fight against brain cancer by registering for and donating to this year’s 5K event! Funds raised through the 7th Annual Head for the Cure 5K – Seattle will support vital brain cancer research and programs at both the UW Medicine – Alvord Brain Tumor Center and the Brain Tumor Trials Collaborative.