We have CLOSED this fundraising event. Effective August 5, 2008. Please visit www.BrownBagForACure.org to see our next event opportunities.

We have EXCEEDED the goal! PRAISE GOD! The generosity and support is AWESOME!! THANK YOU SO MUCH for helping me to make a difference!!!

Hello,

My name is Drew and I am raising money for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. I have less than 3 weeks to raise my money, so please make a contribution.  Every penny counts. No amount is too small or unappreciated

If 500 people donate $10 I will reach the $5000 goal. Please pass this to EVERYONE you know. Together we WILL make a difference!

At 4 years old  I was diagnosed with a highly aggressive, adult brain tumor, rarely seen in children. The name of this beast is a Glioblastoma Multiforme. My parents were told to go home and enjoy their time of 5 – 12 months. I am happy to say it has been 4 years and I am doing well.

This is what I have been through the past four years, as written by my mom, Gina...

On April 22, 2004, Drew was diagnosed with brain cancer. He had a 2 ½ hour surgery to remove 98% of the tumor. The surgery went well and Drew recovered quickly. The only side effects were right arm/hand and leg/foot were weak. They had less movement and control. For treatment, Drew was then entered into phase III clinical trial that included 33 radiation treatments, 42 days of Temodar (chemotherapy) with 10 additional rounds of Temodar. One year from diagnosis, Drew completed the last round of chemo required for the clinical trial. As of, May 23, 2005, Drew has completed the treatment portion of the clinical trial. The MRI’s have shown no evidence of disease.

In April 2007, Drew started presenting symptoms of tumor recurrence. An emergency MRI performed, showed a new area of concern. This area was not in the tumor bed and it was not in the form of a mass, but more like a coating. After much deliberation, it was decided that the area was probably radiation necrosis (damage from the radiation). The only known treatment was steroids (Decadron) to manage his symptoms and the contraversial Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments.  Drew started 60 Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments at Duke University on May 30 and completed July 3, 2007. The MRI on July 5 showed great improvement. Drew was off the steroids and no longer showing any kind of symptoms.

Unfortunately, the MRI on October 1, 2007 showed a tumor in the original tumor bed. Drew was scheduled for surgery on October 31, 2007.  Drew’s surgery went well. The tumor was completely removed. The surgeon placed 3 Gliadel Wafers in the tumor bed. The pathology confirmed it was, again, Glioblastoma Multiforme.  In December Drew’s chemotherapy treatment of Temodar started. His last MRI on April 16, 2008 showed no evidence of disease. For now, he remains on Temodar and will continue to be monitored closely.  He has recovered well from his last surgery and is doing most things that normal 8 year olds do.

Thank you for visiting my Personal Fundraising Page. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to our fundraising efforts. Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate to my mission.