Why Participate?

There are 62,000 reasons to participate. Each year more than 62,000 people receive a brain tumor diagnosis. The American Brain Tumor Association understands how each of these brain tumor diagnoses can turn worlds upside down.

That is why the American Brain Tumor Association funds vital brain tumor research while providing patients, family members and caregivers with comfort, guidance and answers. And that is why the Breakthrough for Brain Tumors 5K is so important.

Whether you’re running or walking, the Breakthrough for Brain Tumors 5K Run/Walk is a "breakthrough" event that will help the ABTA to improve, extend and ultimately save lives.


Share Your Story

Meet Gina Koch

It was a beautiful 4th of July weekend in 2004, Glenn and I had just had one of our big summer pool parties with friends and family in our back yard. We get a call on Sunday from my Father-in Laws girlfriend at the time, that Dad went through a red light while driving and never reacted when he went through it. For a couple of months prior he was getting headaches and losing weight, still thinking nothing was wrong but should go to the Doctor to get checked out.

He went to the Dr's office and got a clear go that nothing was wrong. On that Sunday when his girlfriend called us, she said she was taking him to Stony Brook to get looked at. After 2 days of testing and my Father in law absolutely annoyed that he was confined to a hospital room on a beautiful summer day, we got the news that changed our world. My Father- in- Law, Ed Koch 62 years old was diagnosed with Brain Cancer. The most aggressive tumor Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Of course we were searching the internet on what this diagnosis meant for him and for us. Glenn and I were his caregivers for the next 3 horrible months not knowing what the heck we were doing. We knew nothing about Home Care, Doctors terminology, people suggesting and trying to asssit us with what we thought he needed. Every week the symptons changed and were in the ER coming home with more and different medications. There was not filter in communication and harsh words were said due to where the tumor was located on his farhead. Thank God I have a sense of humor cause I can look back and laugh at some funny moments and then cry when no one was around cause I needed to be strong for everyone else. It has taken me 8 years to finally stop talking about what I would like to do to help out others. Today I made a promise to myself that I will help support the American Brain Tumor Association by supporting care givers and educating them in their fight against Brain tumors.

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Meet Wendy Herm

In October of 2010 a 3-day headache led to an exploratory MRI and ultimately a Grade II astrocytoma diagnosis. A month later I had an awake, partial resection of the left temporal lobe. I walked away from the surgery with a renewed sense of self and jumped back into life with the support of all my incredible friends from near and far.

Earlier this summer, I received the news that my tumor is growing and that radiation is the next step for me. In fact, I will likely be in the midst of my treatment during the ABTA 5k in New York on November 10, which means the event will have even more meaning for me and my team, the Misfit Nuggets.

I have the Helen Keller quote "life is a daring adventure or nothing" tattooed on my arm and there is not a day that I don't read those words, believe in their meaning and act with their spirit.  I'll be sending out my good vibrations to all those battling a brain tumor everyday from now until November 10 and will look forward to breaking-through with all of the participants, families, friends and people working for this cause!

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Meet Jeffrey Corbin

I participate to support my mother who is celebrating another year as a brain tumor survivor.

She was diagnosed with a Stage 4 Glioblastoma cancerous brain tumor on July 1, 2004 and underwent brain surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. She was given about a year to live but thanks to the excellent medical care she received we are grateful to have her with us almost 8 years later, cancer free!

After treatment she was determined to live long enough to meet a grandchild. Her strong will and determination has paid off as she now has three grandchildren to spoil! Kennedy, Anderson, and the newest addition to the family, baby Finlay, love when their Mimi comes to visit. Mom has been an inspiration to us all. She enjoys life and cherishes the time she has with her family and friends.

Sadly, not everyone's story is as positive as mom's. Over the past year some close friends have lost loved ones to this horrible disease. I hope to raise more money to fund additional research that will give others a chance to receive the same specialized treatment and support as my mother.

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Meet Megan

I walk for myself and my family. I'm a 3 year brain tumor survivor.  

My story starts back in February of 2009 when I was 26 years old when I was getting these annoying headaches that were there from the moment I woke up till the moment I went to bed. Also when I got out of bed too quickly I had a surge of pain that would start from the back of my head to the front, the pain was so bad it brought me to my knees.

Then on September 22nd 2009, my 2 year old daughter woke up with an ear infection. I took her to the ER. As we were in the waiting room I went to pick her up and I got dizzy, to myself I said this is enough. The nurses took me back for a CT-Scan, within 5mins the Dr. came back and told me they had found something. He showed me the picture on the computer it was a baseball sized cyst sitting on my brain. The following morning I went in for a MRI. My neurologist came in and told me there was a tumor inside my brain, non-cancerous and operable. He told me I won the brain tumor lottery, he called it a Gileomablastoma, a ventricle tumor. He told me my tumor was extremely rare .1% of the world gets it. I had my brain surgery on Monday September 28th.

By the end of October my 1% chance that something bad could happen, happened. The sealant covering my skull had come undone and I was leaking spinal fluid. It was slow at first but it gained momentum and almost didn't make it. On Friday, November 13, 2009 I was going back in for another brain surgery. I woke up with an energy and a new out look on life. My cup will never be half empty but over flowing with happiness.

We want to hear your stories and know why you are participating in this amazing event! If you would like your story to be shared, please send an email to events@abta.org.