DENVER, March 10 Last year, the nation watched as Senator Kennedy and American Idol winner David Cook's brother lost their fight with brain tumors. Researchers across the country are developing and testing vaccine based treatments that were designed to kill off residual tumor cells remaining after surgery, which help to prevent the reoccurrence of brain tumors. The initial trials of the brain tumor vaccines were very promising, in fact, some extending the median survival of glioblastoma multiform, the most deadly form of brain tumors, from the current median survival of 14.6 months to over 40 months with the addition of the brain tumor vaccine.
Advertisement
Due to the downturn in the economy, critically needed funding to keep these trials going have dwindled. "It has been quite frustrating to see the same vaccine that saved my life, and the lives of others, unavailable to those battling this devastating disease", said Bob Gibbs, founder of Miles for Hope.
Advertisement
Many people remain unaware of the actual magnitude of brain tumors, and that they affect nearly as many people on a daily basis as breast and prostate cancer. Many people survive other types of cancer; only to lose their battle if it metastasizes to the brain as 1 out of 10 cancers has the ability to do. Each year, more than 190,000 adults and children in the United States are diagnosed with a brain tumor. Brain tumors are the leading cause of solid tumor cancer death in children under age 20 and the second leading cause of cancer death in young adults age 20 to 39.
It's time to give a voice to the people in your community who have lost a loved one and need help today. Miles for Hope is dedicated to funding cutting edge research and treatments, but we need the help and support of the Denver community to make this possible. Denver unites to fight brain tumors on Saturday, April 24, 2009. Hundreds of participants will gather for a 5K walk starting and finishing at Sloan Lake Park to raise awareness and essential funding at the Miles for Hope - Moving Towards a Cure(SM) Brain Tumor Walk - Denver.
In 2008, Bob Gibbs and his wife set out on a mission to give others hope and access to the same type cutting edge treatments that have kept him free from his brain tumor for over two years now. "Many of the current treatments to combat brain tumors have very severe and toxic side effects. These treatments are currently necessary, but do not show the same effectiveness in preventing the reoccurrence of brain tumors," continued Gibbs.
"We believe that in order to make a difference in the fight against this disease, in also needs to start with the local community. For that reason, we are pleased to have partnered with The Children's Hospital in an effort to raise awareness and find treatments that provide for a better quality of life for those suffering with brain tumors.", continued Gibbs
Registration is currently open for the event, and we encourage people to register today in order to have time to start teams and fundraising. For more information, or to register, people are encouraged to visit http://MilesForHope.org.
Miles for Hope is a national nonprofit that brings patients and researchers together for the best possible treatments in a single, comprehensive resource. Miles for Hope strives to quickly fund treatments that enhance quality of life for all brain tumor patients by advancing research.
SOURCE Miles for Hope
