Days after a Canadian music icon announced he has a brain tumour and terminal brain cancer, hundreds of people gathered in Edmonton on Saturday to raise more awareness about the illness.
The Brain Tumour Walk is organized every year by the Canadian Brain Tumour Foundation and takes place in more than 20 cities across the country, including Edmonton.
Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour in December after a seizure. His condition was announced to the public earlier this week. He has undergone surgery, radiation and chemotherapy but doctors say he will unfortunately never fully recover.
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Min Lappin lost her son Grant to a brain tumour in 2009. He was diagnosed at the age of 27 and passed away at 29.
“He was a brilliant young man. He was an artist. He wrote. He was just snatched. He was too perfect,” she said, calling his diagnosis “devastating.”
Lappin organizes a group of roughly 60 friends and family members every year to attend the fundraiser. She said Downie’s diagnosis was “bittersweet.”
“It puts us a little bit more on the map…but my heart goes out to him and his family,” she said.
“It just makes people more aware there are people being diagnosed with brain tumours and what can we do to help.”
About 10,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour every year – that equates to 27 people every day. There are approximately 55,000 people in Canada currently living with a brain tumour.
There are about 120 different types of brain tumours, which can range from malignant to benign.
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Susan Marshall, the CEO of the Canadian Brain Tumour Foundation, said Downie’s diagnosis has started important conversations about brain tumours.
“He’s already done so much just by sharing his story and being so open about his journey and now going out on tour and sharing his music,” she said.
Event coordinator Janet Hempler, who is also a brain tumour survivor, said organizers hope to raise $175,000 at Saturday’s event.
“The money goes towards support services, the support group we have in Edmonton. People can contact the foundation and get a free handbook. There’s also online support, one-on-one support, and probably closest to my heart is the money we give towards research,” she said.
Hempler was diagnosed with her tumour almost two years ago after suffering a seizure. She underwent radiation and chemotherapy and said she relied heavily on the foundation’s support group.
She has a prognosis of 10 to 15 years and said fundraising monies can go a long way.
“For me, any research monies might mean the extension of my life. It’s very important to me,” she said.
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