brain tumor awareness Archives - Gray Matters Foundation

My Experience as a Participant in the AACR Scientist↔Survivor Program

This March I had the opportunity to attend the AACR (American Association for Cancer Research) Annual Meeting as a participant in the Scientist↔Survivor Program. As a 20 year brain tumor survivor, I have spent the better part of the last two decades supporting and educating those affected by brain tumors. Being accepted into the SSP…

Twenty year TUMORVERSARY

Today I celebrate 7300 days since my very first brain surgery ( I have had 5)! I have had some amazing days and my share of not so amazing days. The most important take away is I was given days others with brain cancer did not get. I don’t take that for granted. So…

You learn who your friends are

I made a hospital brainbuddie visit. The patient learned the GBM has possibly returned and she needs surgery to determine if its treatment effect or tumor. I brought a few goodies and some items to brighten the room. I decorated the room engaged in conversation and then! Bless her heart the tears and…

There was support! I was not alone.

It was my honeymoon weekend that we attend our first brain tumor support group together. It was the 2001 Florida Brain Tumor Association conference. In 2000 I attended a BT conference in CA. It caused me to want more. At that event, I heard this GBM survivor named David M Bailey sing a song called…

Stinky monkey feet

. My car has a leak UGH! Arrived at dealership checked in and started my wait. My “IF ONLY FOR ONE” begins. I see this little boy who I now know is Max. He was hanging out with his mom and her boyfriend. The room is large but filled with lots of customers ready to…

Students Create Campus Brain Tumor Awareness Campaign

May is Brain Cancer Awareness month & the Biotech Club at Red Mountain High school has teamed up with the Gray Matters Foundation to help STAMP out Brain Cancer. The Gray Matters foundation is a nonprofit organization created to support and empower brain tumor patients and their loved ones through encouragement and personal outreach.…

Brain Buddie Survivor Story: John Van Wagner

My name is John Van Wagner and May 30th 1995 after an 8.5 hour surgery I was told I had a menigioma brain tumor. It was benign but it wrapped around my facial nerve and left my face almost completly paralyzed. I had to endure reconstructive surgery and thankfully was able to regain some movement…

Corporate GMFBRAINBUDDIE Fitness Institute of Arrowhead

Today we want to tell you about one of our #CorporateGMFbrainbuddies. We met @GregTrevesio and his company @FitnessInstituteofArrowhead when he came highly recommended as a personal trainor by our doctor. I hired him as a personal trainor for my son. We have known Greg for just about ten years. Over the ten years I…