It's a Wrap!

I can't think of a better way to wrap up the inaugural Brain Tumor Awareness month than with a cover story on meningiomas in the Yale School of Public Health's new issue featuring my hero, Dr. Elizabeth Claus.

Kindly scroll to page 8!

www.info.med.yale.edu/eph/pdf/YPHspring2009.pdf

The fact that little has changed since my own diagnosis nine years ago underscores the urgency to fund research and ultimately find a cure. This is why I am so passionate and committed to elevating meningioma awareness and funding meningioma specific research.

May is winding down, but this is a reminder that every day is an opportunity to spread the meningioma message.

The Graduate

Hard to believe Hunter has received the first of what I hope are many diplomas.
Way to go monkey! As your entire pre-school class sang, it's off to kindergarten you go.

Me & My Monkeys

I know today is all about honoring mothers, but today I'd like to honor my children. My daughter, Hannah and my son, Hunter are daily reminders of how lucky I am to even be a mom, mommy, momma, mother....

Trying to have them is what led to my brain tumor diagnosis nine years ago. Simply put, they saved my life.

I don't need flowers, a box of chocolates, or a Hallmark sentiment.

Waking up to another day of "I love you's" and hugs from my miracle monkeys is how I define Mother's Day.

May is National Brain Tumor Awareness Month

There are still 23 days left in May to honor the inaugural National Brain Tumor Awareness Month. What used to be a week of recognizing a disease that has personally affected me now has its own designated month.

I'm on a mission to put meningiomas--the most common primary brain tumor--on the global awareness map. Thankfully, I'm not alone on this mission.

This past weekend I had the privilege of celebrating survival and hope with a room full of meningioma survivors and their families during a Meningioma Mommas Meet & Greet fundraiser in the Big Apple. It's quite an inspirational and powerful feeling to be in the company of those who have walked in your shoes.

It's even more inspiring and powerful when someone who doesn't even have a meningioma, runs a marathon in the name of raising awareness and funding for your cause. That someone special is Kelly Tobin.