There are conditions in the world which you know exist, but until it strikes you personally it is hard to comprehend the significance of the condition. The significance of one of these events came to life for me in 2000 when I was informed Christina, the girlfriend of a college friend, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. It was a shock, and quickly did I learn the information behind brain tumors with the diligent research Jason conducted as he and Christina tackled this together. Not shortly after, I received a phone call from Venu, another college friend, who was also diagnosed with a brain tumor as well. Within a year two people who grew up with different backgrounds were both diagnosed with similar brain tumors.

The paths Christina and Venu took after their respective surgeries were quite different as the brain is a complex part of our body. Christina was able to get back to work and in spring of 2002 Christina and Jason were married. Venu continued to live on his own in the Bay Area but did not have the immediate results of Christina. Unfortunately as I stated above the brain is a complex part of our body and as time went on Christina started to have additional problems as a result of the tumor. While Christina continued to stay strong and fight as best she could on December 27, 2005 Christina lost her battle. Christina is not the only person I know who lost a battle with a brain tumor. A few years ago with a quick turn of events a neighbor on the cul-de-sac where my parents live was diagnosed with a brain tumor and with a short number of months lost his battle. Ever since this happened the end of the block has not really been the same.

While there are some unfortunate stories of brain tumors, I do want to say now seven years after his surgery Venu is winning the battle with his brain tumor. While he is not back to how he was before he was diagnosed with the tumor he continues to fight on and live his life. I know the hope someday is somehow the knowledge of how to fight a brain tumor becomes common knowledge to the medical community so we don’t have to tell these stories.

One way you can help is by visiting the National Brain Tumor Foundation website to find out more about brain tumors and how they are “dedicated to promoting a cure for brain tumors, improving the quality of life and giving hope to the brain tumor community by funding meaningful research and providing patient resources, timely information and education. In addition this Saturday in San Francisco is the 14^th Annual Bay Area Brain Tumor Walk and Angel Adventure. Venu is walking in this event again this year and I have no doubt Christina will be in his thoughts. If you wish to sponsor his walk you may do so on is walk page, or you may support NBTF from their website as well.

As a side note, Venu is featured on the brochure for this walk this year not only in San Francisco but I have also noticed his picture on the Denver walk coming up later this spring. He is on the far right of the picture.