Pedaling for a Cure: A Coast to Coast Trek to Fundraise for Brain Tumor Research and Awareness
Today, 575 people will be diagnosed with a primary or metastatic brain tumor. Depending on the location of the tumor, language, ability to communicate, movement and coordination, emotions, or cognitive ability may each be affected in devastating ways.
There are 120 different types of brain tumors. No two tumors are alike; making an accurate prognosis very difficult. Survival depends on numerous factors, such as age, health, tumor type and location.
Presently there is no cure for brain cancer. Treatment options may involve a combination of invasive surgery for tumor extraction with biopsy, radiation, and chemotherapy. With each of the treatment options, there is a myriad list of side effects, including problems with cognitive functions after surgery. In addition, steroids may be prescribed to reduce cerebral swelling, as well as blood thinning medications to prevent clots, and anticonvulsants, if the tumor induces seizure activity.
Kate Trono and Lindsay Richardson
On August 10, 2012, Lindsay Richardson and Kate Trono will bike from San Francisco, CA to Boston MA to raise money for brain cancer research in memory of Terry Trono and Steve Foster - victims of extremely aggressive brain tumors. In honor of the battle against cancer, and in tribute to the character and courage of these two fathers, Lindsay and Kate will ride across the country to raise money to help others' fight against brain cancer less tragic.
These girls ride with the hope that someday soon, one of the 575 people who are diagnosed daily with a brain tumor will be told âwe can do something for you.
Trip Details:
Lindsay and Kate land in San Francisco on
August 10th to begin their journey. They
will proceed Northeast to Fallon, NV, Southeast to Cedar City, UT, and then East to Pueblo, CO. After traveling through Alexander and Girard, Kansas and southern Missouri Iowa, they will head toward the Great Lake Erie and Buffalo, NY.
At this point, they will head Southeast through the Finger Lake Region of New York toward Boston, MA. After approximately 3,450 miles, they will complete their extensive tour at the National Brain Tumor Society Headquarters in Boston, MA where they plan to celebrate friends and family.
Look for photos and hear about their adventures as they travel!
Join us!
Lindsay and her bike, about to embark on a "training" ride to prepare for the long miles ahead.
There is power in numbers. Please contact Kate with any interests you might have for joining a leg of the cross country tour. Or, if riding is not an option, help support the cause with fundraising as they pass through your area! Please, help them spread awareness and raise funds on their arduous trek: the greater impact they can make - the more lives hope to be improved.
Brain Tumor Facts:
The Cause:
"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do." -Edward Everett Hale
References:
1. "Facts about Brain Tumors."Brain Tumor Quick Facts. National Brain Tumor Society. 21 May 2012 <http://www.braintumor.org/news/press-kit/brain-tumor-facts.html>.
2. "Brain Tumor Facts." American Brain Tumor Association. 21 May 2012 <http://www.abta.org/news/brain-tumor-fact-sheets/>.
3. Hoffman, S., Propp, J., and McCarthy, B. "Temporal trends in incidence of primary brain tumors in the United States, 1985-1999."Neuro-Oncology. 2006 January; 8(1): 27-37. Web. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1871920/>.
4. "Data Collection of Primary Central Nervous System Tumors." National Program of Cancer Registries Training Materials. CDC-Cancer. 2004. Web. <http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/npcr/pdf/btr/braintumorguide.pdf>.
5. "Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)." Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). National Brain Tumor Society. 24 May 2012 <http://www.braintumor.org/patients-family-friends/about-brain-tumors/tumor-types/glioblastoma-multiforme.html>.
100% of the proceeds will go to the National Brain Tumor Society, a non-profit organization committed ultimately to finding a cure to brain cancer everywhere.
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." -Goethe
Currently, there are an estimated 62,930 people living with a primary brain tumor (one that originates in the brain). Although the prognosis is significantly better, benign tumors can produce the same symptoms as malignant tumors, including cognitive deficits, swelling, and seizures.
Only 35% of patients who have a malignant primary brain tumor will live 5 years or longer. Among the primary malignant tumors, Glioblastomas, the most aggressive tumor, accounts for 17%. Of these, only 2% of the victims will live 5 years or more.
Primary brain tumors are the second leading cause of death for children under 20 years, and males 20-39. Children who survive the disease are typically left with long-term side effects due to treatment.
Per the CDC, primary brain tumors have an average annual percent change of an increase of 1.1%
About Us:
Lindsay Richardson, 26, is an Administrative Assistant at Schuler-Haas Electric Corp. She grew up in Pittsford, NY and graduated from Pittsford Mendon High School in 2004. She received a Bachelor of Arts from University of Vermont in 2008 in English and Sociology. Lindsay was a member of the UVM Varsity Swim Team from 2004-2007 and named captain her Junior year in 2006. She studied abroad during the second semester of her senior year at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. This is where she and Kate first met through the program IES and became great friends. Lindsay recently completed her first Half Marathon and looks forward to training for future races.
Kate Trono, 25, works in the Operating Room at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vermont. A Vermont native, Kate returned to VT to spend time with Steve after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Rochester in 2009. She graduated from U-32 High School in 2005 where she was a year round athlete. While her career interests remain in biology and medicine, Kate is passionate about exercising and training for running and biking events. With the completion of the journey, Kate plans to investigate cyclocross and continue to strengthen her running and biking skills while preparing for a graduate degree in healthcare.
Visit our Facebook page for training photos and updates!
