Grey Matters

  Brain Tumors........ deep sigh...
  I started my  fundraising and awareness campaign for these suckers last spring.  A close friend and colleague of mine was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor, and underwent surgery to remove the tumor in February of 2012.  This is where the bittersweet news comes...
 The tumor, which they were calling an abnormal mass and were ultimately unsure of it's severity, turned out to be grade III cancer.  The "good" (if there is such a thing in the realm of brain tumors or cancer in general) is that the doctors felt they removed it all and one round of proton radiation, to ensure the cells around the tumor weren't affected, would be the only treatment necessary.
  Needless to say, SOMETHING had to be done.  My friend's husband organized a team for the Boston Brain Tumor Ride, a 10, 25 or 50 mile bike ride starting in Waltham, Ma.  I had never ridden more than 10 miles on a bike before, but I was determined to try it.  I purchased a bike, and the necessary gear (padded shorts, clip in shoes, the riding app, etc) and started my training.  I found out quickly that bike riding was not my favorite, but I continued to train.  My mom was a avid supporter of my training, and joined me on many long rides.  She would also help map out mileage in her area.  My parents live on the Cape, and biking is very welcomed and supported there.
  Along with weekend long rides and weekday spinning sessions, I started awareness and fundraising efforts at my school.   I started by reading brain tumor awareness facts during the morning announcements each day.  I also purchased "livestrong" like bracelets with the slogan "Grey Matters" written in hot pink (get it!?!), and sold them to faculty and students for two dollars.  I also contacted a local pizza chain to organize a dine-in and take out fundraiser.  Here, Papa Ginos, would donate 20% of overall sales to my cause.  All in all, I raised just over $2000 for the National Brain Tumor Society. As a team we raised just over $48,000, earning us the top fundraising award!!  Over all, the ride was a great opportunity to raise awareness for a disease that deserves more attention and funding than it receives, an opportunity to support a friend, and athletic challenge.
At the finish line!! I combined the T-shirt and the finish line pictures using the pic-jointer app
The "grey matters" bracelet and Papa Gino's night.


I plan to do the ride again in 2013, as well as Sloan-Kettering's Cycle for Survival this winter.

Grey Matters Benefit Event:
Saturday 4/27 @6pm
The Turnpike Cafe, Canton, MA
Food, fun, raffles items and live music
COME ON DOWN!!!

Other links you may be interested in:
Boston Brain Tumor Ride's Link
Our Cycle-a-thon Team Page:

1 comment:

  1. You are the absolute best! I am so happy I get to ride with you this year!

    ReplyDelete