0842292 Brain Tumour Foundation- Spring Sprint

WHAT IS A BRAIN TUMOUR?

A brain tumour is a lump of tissue caused by the growth of abnormal cells in or around the brain. Brain tumours can be classified in many categories such as benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), primary or secondary.

Benign Tumours –

These are classified by the WHO as grade 1 or 2

They are Slow Growing with well defined borders

These tumours do not invade surrounding tissue

Malignant Tumours –

These are classified by the WHO as grade 3 or 4

They are fast growing with poorly defined borders

These tumours can invade surrounding tissue and other structures

Primary Tumours – originate from cells in the brain and stay within the brain or spinal cord. Secondary Tumours – originate from cells outside the brain. They come from other cancers such as breast cancer, lung cancer etc. (WHO: World Health Organization) “ Brain tumours are the 2nd leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children under the age of twenty” -1

WHAT IS THE BRAIN TUMOUR FOUNDATION OF CANADA?

“ Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada is a national, not-for-profit organization whose vision is to find the cause and cure for brain tumours and to improve the quality of life for those affected. We are dedicated to reaching every person in Canada affected by a brain tumour with support, education and information, and to funding brain tumour research.” -2

History

The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada was created in London in 1982 by a man named Steve Northey who lost his 8 year old daughter to the disease.

Today The Brain Tumour Foundation is part of the International Brain Tumour Alliance (IBTA) of which it is a founding member, the North American Brain Tumour Coalition (NABTC) and the Canadian Alliance of Brain Tumour Organizations (CABTO). “These organizations focus on raising awareness of brain tumours, advocating for positive change, and supporting brain tumour research.” -3

WHAT SERVICES DO THEY PROVIDE?

Services include:

"• Free Patient Resource Handbooks (Adult/Pediatric English/French)

• Support Group meetings across Canada for those going with a brain tumour or affected by it.

• BrainWAVE Program for families with children and teens affected by a brain tumour

• Information Day Conferences on the latest developments in brain tumour research and treatments

• One-to-one support through our national, toll free 1-800 line

• Message Board and Chat Room at www.braintumour.ca

• Funding Canadian research projects into the causes and treatments of brain tumours

• Funding the Brain Tumour Tissue Bank, which provides brain tumour tissue samples to Canadian and international researchers

• Founding member of North American Brain Tumour Funders’ Collaborative, funding three, $2 million dollar research grants ” -4

The Brain Tumour foundation provides support, hope, education and services as well as funding for the cure of brain cancer.

WHAT IS THE SPRING SPRINT?

The Spring Sprint is an annual event for the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada which raises, not only an important amount of it’s funds, but awareness.

This volunteer-run event is an uplifting one, creating a sense of community, hope and empowerment. It also helps honour those who have fought and are fighting the battle against a brain tumour.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

There are various ways to Participate.

One of course is to run/walk the sprint and collect donations A company can also chose to generously donate some money And/or you can be a volunteer on the day of the Spring Sprint You can also chose to sponsor someone

2007 SPRING SPRINT CITY RESULTS Will you help boost your city?

NOW RUN. MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!

REFERENCES

-1 : Jemel A, Siegel R, Ward E, Murray T, et al. Cancer Statistics, 2007. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, American Cancer Society. Vol. 57 No. 2, pp. 43-66.

-2 : Brain tumour foundation of canada, about the run. 2008Available from http://www.braintumour.ca/sprint.nsf/eng/AboutRun .

Berkiw, Nathalie. Dec. 13, 2007. Brain tumour foundation, about brain tumours. Available from http://www.braintumour.ca/braintumour.nsf/eng/GetInfoMain

Data and facts for chart : The Kelly Heinz-Grundner Brain Tumor Foundation, http://www.khgfoundation.org/brain_tumor_facts/fact.php

Images of the 2008 Toronto Spring Sprint, http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?Uc=5tqymutb.a9it8273&Uy=-3z7239&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&UV=749223744452_373090158111&mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1