SURVIVOR Guest Blogger:

Well, today marks 4 years.  It was four years ago that I had surgery to remove a malignant tumor from my brain.  I was thrown into the cancer world and of course the resulting anxiety.  I initially avoided any mention of the “c” word.  However, over time, I have grown to embrace and even profess my title of SURVIVOR.  While preparing to participate in my second BP5K this year, I made a very symbolic connection through my search for a creative, clever, and meaningful team name.

I chose the team name “HEADSTRONG”.  The symbolic translation, head + strong, is an obvious description of myself and all survivors.  We are strong in the head, that’s for sure.  The literal definition of the word describes our fortitude and determination precisely. 

 head•strong [hed-strawng, -strong] adjective 1. determined to have one's own way; willful; self-willed; stubborn; obstinate: a headstrong young woman. 2. proceeding from or exhibiting willfulness: a headstrong course.

The more I thought about the new team, the name HEADSTRONG rang a bell and reminded me of a famous song by the band Trapt.   I looked up the lyrics and found our survivors story put to music.  The song is perfectly titled “Headstrong” and the lyrics describe our fight against brain cancer and our determination to succeed.

I see your motives inside

Decisions to hide

Back off, I'll take you on

Headstrong to take on anyone

I know that you are wrong

And this is not where you belong

I can't give everything away

I won't give everything away

I discovered the existence of the BP5K last summer.  The 2012 race was my first interaction and over the past year my involvement has grown tremendously.  Kelly and the BP5K provide such a sense of unity and purpose for the survivors of the central Texas community.  The feat of “making a difference” feels much more real and attainable with the driving force and support of the BP5K.

Laura Cook

Join Laura's Team 

Kick-Off Party!

We have had LOTS going in the past several weeks, it has been very exciting to be a part of the Brain Power 5K! To catch you up, May was Brain Cancer Awareness Month and the BP5K was in full force spreading our mission. In May, we created the first EVER attempt of an all brain cancer survivor team to complete a marathon distance together in a relay format called the Brain Power-thon. And we did it! You can see some photos here and here. The Brain Power-thon was a huge success and the survivors had a very special morning sharing their abounding strength with one another and the general public. We were joined by YNN and KVUE to share these amazing efforts of our Powerful People, it was an all around incredible day! Check out the coverage from KVUE by clicking here.

Our other events around town went great as well. I had the pleasure of wrapping up Brain Cancer Awareness Month by attending the annual meeting with the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation at MD Anderson and their extremely talented Dr. Amy Heimberger, Dr. Juan Fueyo, Dr. Paul Brown and Dr. Roel Verhaak (on behalf of Dr. John de Groot) whom presented four projects, two of which our efforts were able to contribute to in 2012. Here they discussed different programs such as personalized treatments- especially important when tumors are changing, the Delta 24-an injected virus that prevents the cancer growth replication pathway and how they are making such great strides in these thanks to funds from efforts like ours. The doctors also spoke on how they desperately need our funding in order to keep improving these life-saving projects. They continue to get closer to answers making great improvements, but just as the tumors continue to change, we must continue to fight. The doctors are not able to make these trials and projects possible just on funding from us alone. From each dollar we contribute, the National Cancer Institute will in turn grant these necessary programs an estimated $5-$10 to keep the project in motion. Every dollar you raise, literally makes a countless difference.

Summer is here!
I hope you have marked your calendar for this Thursday, July 11th! We are having our Kick-Off Party for the 3rd Annual Brain Power 5K at the Rattle Inn from 6-8pm! We will be enjoying their gorgeous rooftop view of downtown Austin, extended Happy Hour prices, complimentary appetizers and sweets from Zocalo Cafe and Galaxy Cafe along with a chance to win some great raffle prizes from Rogue Running and OTL Fitness! Come join us for a fun night out and to learn more about the Brain Power 5K! We'll be glad to help you with any fundraising, training or overall questions as well. You'll have a chance to visit with our Honorary Co-Chairs Matt Cotcher and Iram J. Leon too! Let us know if you can make it on our event page here.

More exciting updates~

We are thrilled to announce that the only walk-through, true-to-life, inflatable brain will be joining us again for 2013, the AmeriBrain! And we are very proud to have Scott & White Healthcare Brain Tumor Center as our sponsor of the AmeriBrain. Not only that, the Brain Power 5K is honored to have the opportunity to support the efforts of Dr. Ekokobe Fonkem at Scott & White Healthcare Brain Tumor Center here in Central Texas with a portion of the proceeds from the 2013 race! We are so excited about this partnership and to see research grow here in Central Texas!

Remember to register today, create your team, email your contacts to join you and let them know that you're fundraising for Brain Cancer Research that is so greatly needed. September 8th will be here before we know it!!

  

 Register TODAY: BRAINPOWER5K.com

Brain Cancer Awareness Month

May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month and a large part of the Brain Power 5K's mission is to improve awareness of this debilitating disease. Throughout May, we have had several different events set up around town to help inform the public that it is Brain Cancer Awareness Month. We are doing these also to raise funds towards our efforts to defeat brain cancer, let Central Texans know the Brain Power 5K is here for our Brain Tumor Community and show people that survivors are out and thriving!

Our remaining events are coming up this week, be sure to join us! You will find all the details on our Facebook Page - (remember to 'LIKE' us) - under the 'Events' tab.
Wednesday, May 15th- BP5K Fundraiser Night at Waterloo Ice House on 360
                                     4-8pm, mention to your server when paying that you're with the BP5K!

Saturday, May 18th- The Brain Power-thon
                                   8am, Lady Bird Hike and Bike Trail, Start/Finish under Mopac near Austin High   The Brain Power-thon is a 1st EVER attempt of an all brain tumor survivor team to complete a Marathon distance together in a group effort. Some survivors will some will walk, some will run. Together they will conquer an inspiring and remarkable feat. We welcome you to join us in cheering and if you are a brain tumor survivor that would like to take part in the Brain Power-thon, please contact kelly@drmarnierose.org by 5/15. This is a non-competitive, un-supported, volunteer based event riding on an ambition for life.

Recently, we also announced our 2013 Honorary Co-Chairs for our 3rd Annual Race! We are so enthused and full of pride to share that Iram Leon and Matt Cotcher are our 2013 Brain Power 5K Honorary Co-Chairs! You can get to know them both a little better by clicking here. If you'd like to personally join their teams or support their courageous journeys, you can do so by clicking for Matt's here  and Iram's here. Both men have boldly faced this disease and continue to spread awareness and help others affected by brain tumors. It is with great respect that we welcome Iram and Matt in their well deserved roles.

And it is with immense gratitude that we have the pleasure in recognizing our 2013 presenting sponsor, Austin Cancer Centers! We are so excited and thankful for their support! Austin Cancer Centers has been involved with the BP5K directly since 2012 and indirectly since 2011 through many of their patients and families participating. Together we will make a great impact in the fight against brain cancer in Central Texas!!

Registration is open and it is Brain Cancer Awareness Month. We hope to see you on September 8th!

To register, donate, sponsor and volunteer: www.BrainPower5K.com

Are you a Brain Tumor Survivor or participating in honor of a loved one affected by a  Brain Tumor? Please contact kelly@drmarnierose.org.

Brain Cancer Research BREAKTHROUGH!

I am covered in chills reading about the latest brain cancer treatment breakthrough funded by the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation (DMRF). The Brain Power 5K (BP5K) plays an important role in supporting the DMRF with our funds benefiting their efforts supporting brain cancer research at MD Anderson Cancer Center. It is absolutely thrilling to read the success of this most recent case-study by Drs. Fueyo and Gomez-Manzano at MD Anderson : http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news%2Fhealth&id=9054393

This is a exactly why we work so passionately for our Powerful People and their loved ones.

Watch for registration to open very SOON for the 2013 Brain Power 5K!

Join us on September 8th to Make Hope Happen!

Brain Power Hours and More

So much has been going on lately. I've been meaning to write a new post for days to make sure I remembered all of the excitement happening with the Brain Power 5K already!

In case you didn't know, we have started a brain tumor survivor meet-up each month, fittingly called the Brain Power Hour. We have been doing this for a few months now and we're getting great feedback and lots of fun doing it. Mostly we're eating lots of good food, enjoying coffee and chatting about life. It is always nice and relaxing to get together with others that have been in similar situations and 'compare notes' in this world of the complete unknown that we as survivors journey in.

Brain Cancer Survivors delivering game ball for the Austin Toros

Just last night we had a very note-worthy Brain Power Hour. We set up a night with the Austin Toros for our brain tumor survivors to be recognized at the basketball game. The Toros kindly had us come down on the court pre-game and deliver the game ball to the referees to begin the game. It was a fantastic evening and another opportunity for brain cancer survivors to come together and feel the support of our community.

BP5K Committee Members

Since my last post, we also had our first official 2013 Brain Power 5K Committee Meeting and announced Runi Limary as our Co-Coordinator! Not everyone was able to make this meeting but we were able to get a lot accomplished with countless ideas flowing! We have some new faces this year and we're thrilled to have them join us with their fresh insight as well as the experience from our returning members. 2013 is definitely going to be our biggest and best BP5K yet! And we are more than thrilled to have Runi as our Co-Coordinator! She has been an enormous part of the race since this idea was just beginning to sprout in my mind. Runi puts her entire heart behind the BP5K and it shows with her endless dedication to our mission. We are so grateful for you sharing your time and valuable expertise with us Runi, we appreciate you!

We are getting more sponsors each day and it is always exciting to add their names to the list; new and old. People are feeling the expansion of the Brain Power 5K and are excited to be a part of our impact on brain cancer history! If you haven't sent in your sponsorship confirmation yet, you still have time. Or you can do it now here.

Unfortunately our mission is frequently validated. Just last night I was visiting with a family that had lost their dad/husband to brain cancer. She then introduced me to her friend next to her that had also lost her dad to brain cancer AND the woman next to her that had lost her husband to brain cancer AND some friends across the room that their mom currently has brain cancer. Yes, brain cancer is rare but it does happen and happens too often. This is why the Brain Power 5K is here.

May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month and we are kicking it off with some fun upcoming events! Mark you calendars to join us at the California Pizza Kitchen in the Domain on April 30-May 2nd, 20% of your order will be donated to us when you give your server our flyer. Stay posted on Facebook for more info.

We've got lots more to come and appreciate you being here. Stay tuned!

Welcome!

Welcome to the Blog of the Brain Power 5K! We will be featuring pieces on brain tumor news, patients, survivors, Powerful People, race updates and more. Look out also for guest bloggers, including some of our involved families, survivors and neuro-oncologists in the area.


Make sure you've gotten your tickets to the Night at the Austin Toros with the Brain Power 5K on April 3rd at 7:30pm. All tickets must be purchased by March 29th here:
https://toros.wufoo.com/forms/brain-power-5k/
Brain Tumor Survivors will be recognized at this game! If you are a survivor and you have not be in touch with the BP5K about this, please contact kelly@drmarnierose.org by March 22nd. Bring your friends & families to enjoy this special night for our Brain Tumor Survivors.

For now, join, follow and save the Brain Power 5K Blog! If you haven't yet, please be sure to join us on Facebook and Twitter.

 And of course mark your calendar for September 8th, 2013 for the 3rd Annual Brain Power 5K!

We're excited you're here, thank you for growing with us!