Chris Elliott Fund promotes Why I Walk campaign as key sponsor of 2011 Seattle Brain Cancer Walk
CEF second top fundraiser in 2010 seeks to top past goal of $40,000
Seattle – In preparation of this Saturday’s Seattle Brain Cancer Walk to support brain cancer research and patient support at the Swedish Neuroscience Institute, the Chris Elliott Fund (CEF) is promoting their Why I Walk campaign to give patients and their families a platform to share their stories and to promote the CEF walking team and fundraising efforts.
“Brain cancer is so personal to members of our team,” said Dellann Elliott, President and CEO of the Chris Elliott Fund, “many have lost loved ones, and many are walking alongside family members and friends whom are fighting this disease. Our Why I Walk campaign effort gives patients and their families the opportunity to express their hope for a cure.”
The Seattle Brain Cancer Walk is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24th at 9:00 a.m. at the Seattle Center Founders Court. Walkers will follow a two-mile course around the Seattle Center. Festivities, tributes, and awards begin at 10:30 a.m. Last year Team CEF raised over $40,000, the second highest amount of any team.
To help promote the CEFʼs efforts and the Seattle Brain Cancer Walk, the following individuals are available to share their stories:
Tom Hippensteel,
“I walk for our dear friend, Christy, who is fighting glioblastoma brain cancer. I walk for those who get that urgent call and have no idea what glioblastoma means, or how they should react to news that a dear friend has a malignant brain tumor.”
“The statistics are bleak. Half of those diagnosed with glioblastoma live only 12 to 14 months and 5 percent will make it past the 5-year mark. But we are hopeful now that Christy has access to advanced treatments and the support she needs.”
Rachael Long,
“I walk for my dad. When he was dagnosed with a brain tumor in March 2010 we were originally told that there ws no hope. The Chris Elliott Fund helped change that diagnosis for our family an told us about advanced treatment options at the Ben and Catherine Ivy Cnter for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment.”
“My dad has always held my hand when I was sick or hurting. Now I hold his and so does the Chris Elliott Fund as he fights this terrible disease.”
“We are sharing Tom and Rachaelʼs stories and others on social media and through our email network to let people know that living this journey of brain cancer is a fight that they can join and help us win,” said Elliott.
Key Links:
Chris Elliott Fund
Seattle Brain Cancer Walk
http://www.braincancerwalk.org/about.html
BRAIN FACTS
More than 22,000 Americans are diagnosed with a malignant brain cancer every year. It is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for children under 19. About 60 to 70 percent of these cancers are glioblastoma (GBM) – the deadliest form of brain cancer with a life expectancy after diagnosis of only 12 to 14 months. CEF focuses their efforts on GBM.
About the Chris Elliott Fund
Our goal is to END BRAIN CANCER through Patient Advocacy, Education and Research. Dellann and Chris Elliott co-founded CEF 3 weeks before Chrisʼ death in 2002 from brain cancer. CEF isa nationally recognized model for patient advocacy and has invested over $500,000 in support of programs to help patients fight the disease from every angle, including over $1 million to promote cutting-edge brain cancer research. CEF promotes access to advanced treatments and genetic testing to extend lives and lead us closer to a cure.