Sharing Hope Stories

Dennis's Story
A meningioma tumor was discovered behind my right eye in 2001. It was on my optic nerve as well.

O'Martin's Story
My name is O'Martins and this is my story.

Brenda's Story
I was diagnosed with an Anaplastic Astrocytoma in December 2007

Mark's Story
TREAT IT AND BEAT IT

Halle's Story
I was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor in 2003 at 31 years old.

Lisa's Story
Updates as of September 2009

Samantha's Story
My Miracle Brain Surgery

Peggy's Story
My sight in my right eye was sketchy then gone. After many hours of tests, it was concluded that I had an Optic Nerve Meningioma. In June of 1993, I had a craniotomy to remove most of the tumor.

Kelley's Story
What I thought was wrong with me was not. Instead, it is a brain tumor. Now the road begins...

Brittany's Story
Brittany's Big Brain

Tracie's Story
My story began at the early age of 7. I remember my first headache; it was so bad it made me very sick...

Damon's Story
Count your Blessings

Glen's Story
My name is Glen and I am a 49 year survivor of a rare inoperable brain tumor.

Don's Story
I am doing all that I can to raise Meningioma Awareness by telling my story to anyone who will listen. I'm on "watch and wait," but in the mean time, I want to do all that I can.

Alicia's Story
My journey started when I went to a community health fair to get my ears checked. After my ears were tested, I was told that my right ear had passed the test, but my left ear did not. Due to this, I was encouraged to see my family doctor.

Lisa D's Story
At 39 weeks pregnant, I had a full seizure only to discover that it was caused by a brain tumor in my right frontal lobe.

Steven's Story
"Hope is a good thing... maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." -Andy Dufresne

Kendra's Story
February 28th, 2008- The terrifying night in the ER that saved my life.

Jerry's Story
A brain tumor brought my life to a screeching halt, but the train is back on the tracks, by the grace of God facilitated by a community of support.

John's Story
My journey began in the summer of 1996. How long had I been living with a brain tumor? I have no idea. Had it not been for my wife and a very dedicated doctor, I would not have been here today.

Charles' Story
Just when I thought that my life was perfect, I found out that it was far from it. I was finalizing all of the wedding plans and making sure that everything was in order for my daughter that was to be born in five months, when I started getting headaches- a lot worse and more frequent.

Marjorie's Story
I am now a one year survivor and I still pray that God will be with me on my journey.

Thomas's Story
A brain tumor changes your life forever. You cannot control the fact that your life changed, but you can control what that change turns out to be. You can have peace, healing and hope.

Lisa's Story
A tumor isn't a moment, it is a lifetime filled with life lessons. My lessons are of strength and of seeing the goodness in others.

Amy's Story
Diagnosed with an astrocytoma in 2004, Amy shares what she has learned throughout her journey.

Joel's Story
On December 1, 2001, I was watching a football game on TV and went to the refrigerator to get something to eat. Then, just like that, I woke up riding in an ambulance. I quickly found out that I had a seizure.....

Micere's Story
Accidentally found a colloid cyst in the anterior superior third ventricle after experiencing a fall at work.

Kimberly's Story
Surviorship and Giving Back

Amy G's Story
Growing up, I always knew something was not right and so did my parents. I would have these weird "feelings" or sensations at least 5 times a week.

Mark's Story
A Survival Story

Kimrene's Story
Kimrene tells her story.

Judy's Story
I was diagnosed with a Meningioma brain tumor.

Kim's Story
Kim was diagnosed with a GBM in 2004. In her story, which she has titled, "An Unwelcome Stranger," she shares how she has coped with radiation and chemotherapy. She expresses her hope that her story can be a "light at the end of the tunnel" for others.

Debra's Story
Debra, a wife and mother, artist and cancer volunteer is the survivor of a medulloblastoma. She shares her experiences from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.

Darton's Story
Diagnosed with a colloid cyst at the age of 15, Darton tells of his surgery and the difficulties that followed. He titled his story, "A Hopeful Recovery" to convey that after surgery there is hope for a full and rewarding life.

Kurt's Story
In 1979, at the age of 13, Kurt was diagnosed with a brain tumor in the third ventricle. Determined to overcome a subsequent paralysis, Kurt spent part of his youth re-learning the movements most others take for granted. Kurt agreed to share some of his insights on the brain tumor experience. In follow-up in 2004, Kurt continues his story showing the importance of a positive attitude and perseverance in confronting the challenges he has faced as a result of his brain tumor.

Rhonda's Story
Diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1996, Rhonda shares about her two surgeries and chemotherapy she received from a malignant brain tumor. She see herself and her experience as "living proof" of the power of faith and hope

Jack's Story
Diagnosed with a Grade III brain tumor in 2004, Jack tells of his treatment experiences, which have included surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. He also tells of the love and caring relationships in his life that has sustained him throughout the process.

Kory's Story
Kory tells of the journey he has been on since his diagnosis with a juvenile astrocytoma ten years ago, while is his 30s. He shares his varied interests and work experiences, both prior to and following diagnosis, and the lessons he has learned along the way.

Lori's Story
Diagnosed at the age of 17 with a low-grade astrocytoma, Lori is now in her thirties and the proud mother of three. In her story, she recalls her brain tumor experience - the impact on her teen years, the trauma of several surgeries and radiation, reaching survivorship, and the family that is now her world.

Ramona's Story
"When I received the brochure about the Sharing Hope Symposium, I knew I had to attend. It was the first such meeting since my diagnosis and as I grew up near Chicago, it was a rare chance to swing by my hometown. Besides, I had an unused air ticket to exchange from a trip home my husband had to cancel because I had been diagnosed two days before his flight..."

Darlene's Story
Darlene, a 12-year survivor of an oligodendroglioma, recounts how she was first diagnosed and her treatment experiences. She also shares how having a brain tumor has impacted her life and her family. For Darlene, it led her to start a brain tumor support group.

Mike's Story
Mike was diagnosed at age 35 with an oligodendroglioma. His story recounts his diagnosis, surgery, and return to officiating basketball. Mike also shares his current advocacy work in support of brain tumor awareness and research. His message is positive and inspiring, and a reminder that "We are all together in hope!"

Andrew's Story
A survivor of an ependymoma talks about how he first came to know he had a brain tumor, the many challenges he faced during treatment, and how he now helps others as a cancer counselor.

Jane's Story
In this article, Jane, a meningioma survivor, shares her insights on survivorship and the meaning of being a "survivor."

Marie-Pierre's Story
A mother's love, a living legacy

Tracy and Jessica's Story
This is about my friend who passed away from a brain tumor at the age 17 and how it affected my life as a friend of hers.

Anne's Story
On December 29, 2008, my 50 year old mother was brought into the hospital for an MRI.

Terry's Story
Learning to live and walk in a manner I never thought possible.

Casey and Natalie's Story
We were on the Memphis News in 2007.

Christi and Murf's Story
My best friend of 20 years was diagnosed almost a year ago. She wants me to share this story which reflects on brain cancer, friendship, and support.

Jodi and Marsha's Story
Marsha never gave up hope.

Gary and Debbie's Story
A nine-year-old boy was diagnosed with an Ependymoma Brain Tumor on his brain stem and Hydrocephalus. He defied what was written in the medical books and thanks to the power of God is a living miracle.

Ana's Story
My 35 year old brother was in very good health, happy and handsome. In 2006, the doctor advised that he had discovered a brain tumor.

Amanda's Story
"My Loving Grandpa" - Amanda's grandfather, Donald, died of a brain tumor at age 50. He never gave up on hope for a cure. He would fight the cancer and beating it every day.

Bob's Story
Bob's family shared this story with us about Bob, who passed away from a brain tumor in September, 2005. This story is about his family's belief that hope does not end with death - it just changes. It includes photographs taken by Bob with captions that convey the meaning and value of hope.

Sue's Story
In this poignant message, the co-founder of the American Brain Tumor Association shares the story of her daughter's brain tumor and the need which gave birth to this now global organization.

Leslie's Story
A wife and mother shares her experience, supporting her husband as he confronts life dealing with primary CNS lymphoma. Her story chronicles the emotional ups and downs that can be part of the road from initial diagnosis, through treatment and beyond.