The following blog post was written by pediatric brain tumor survivor Zoe Fitzgerald.
My name is Zoe. When I was three, I was diagnosed with a low-grade glioma, a type of brain tumor that caused me to go blind in my right eye. It’s been thirteen years since my initial diagnosis, and I’ve been in chemotherapy four different times.
Advances in treatment have been made for my type of brain tumor, and the protocol I’m currently on is a targeted therapy that generally has more manageable side effects and better overall results. Unfortunately, for more aggressive types of brain tumors, there hasn’t been much progress in treatment options, and I’ve known too many kids who have passed away.
I’ve experienced first-hand how research and advances in treatment can impact a child and improve their quality of life. Combining my love for reading and my family’s desire to give back, my mom and I created Books 4 Brains to raise money for pediatric brain cancer research.
You can join me in supporting the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s research funding efforts by participating in the virtual Books 4 Brains read-a-thon February 5-9!
It's easy to participate! Pledge to read a number of hours or books between February 5 and 9 and match that pledge with a donation. No amount is too small and all proceeds raised will go to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation to help make more research and new treatments possible for kids with brain tumors.
Books have been important in my life because they’ve taught me so much, not only in knowledge but also in empathy. When I was first diagnosed with my brain tumor, my immune system was compromised by the treatments I was given. I didn’t have a lot of options to fill my time. So when I was in hospitals, I spent a lot of time reading. While not just giving me something to do with my time, it also provided me an escape where I could forget about the trials of treatment and what I was going through at that time.
While I used to shy away from speaking to others about my journey with a brain tumor, the last few years opened my eyes to how sharing my story can help inspire others to support pediatric brain tumor research so more kids have the chance to grow up and enjoy life like I’ve been able to.
A cure to pediatric brain cancer is only possible with continued research… and research is only possible with funding. So, please READ a book, PLEDGE some $$, and HELP FIND A CURE for pediatric brain cancer!
Download the Books 4 Brains guide for a pledge form and reading log for families and classrooms who plan on participating.
Looking for a new book to add to your to-read pile? Check out a few of my favorites for teens, pre-teens, and younger children.
My brain tumor experience is something I think about every day of my life, but the outside world likes to erase that and pretend it didn’t happen. It’s too “taboo” or “uncomfortable.” So, this year, on the 7th anniversary of my surgery, I want to talk about it.
In June 2018, Valentina was diagnosed with a pediatric low-grade glioma with a BRAF mutation. At the time, she was only one year old. Surgery was not an option, so her family had two choices for treatment—traditional chemotherapy or an experimental treatment suitable for her type of mutation.
As Nathan's dad, I am forever grateful to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation community. And as one of the foundation’s internal research advisors and a scientist who works in drug development, I also see there’s so much more work we can do.
The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) proudly announces an infusion of $1 million to help researchers, led by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Drs. Pratiti (Mimi) Bandopadhayay and Rameen Beroukhim, launch a study into a novel therapeutic target and expand their research into overcoming treatment resistance and rebound growth.
Recently, the Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act gained significant momentum in Congress when Charlie, a 12-year-old brain tumor survivor and advocate with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, testified to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee about the hurdles families face when seeking treatment for their child. Now, to see it become law requires your immediate action.
