Glioblastomas, also known as GBM and Glioblastoma Multiforme are malignant grade 4 brain tumors. This is the most aggressive and deadliest type of brain cancer. There isn’t a cure for brain cancer and the average life expectancy for someone newly diagnosed with GBM is 14-16 months.
This year, GBM Awareness Day occurred on July 20th which also happened to be the one-year anniversary of Jennifer Marie’s passing due to GBM. Although I only knew Jennifer Marie as a fellow brain cancer warrior, I could tell she was a beautiful soul. Jennifer Marie became my inspiration for creating the ongoing “A Face of Strength” brain tumor and cancer awareness campaign that I run on my blog, 2nd Chance 2 Live. The purpose of the campaign is to spread awareness, put a face to the disease, provide inspiration, offer hope, showcase the urgent need for funding a cure, and help establish a digital footprint for those who want one.
This year, Sherrie Izban, Manager of the American Brain Tumor Association‘s Volunteer Network
helped me get the word out about a special “A Face of Strength” campaign I aimed to orchestrate on GBM Day. Following is a summary of the results from that day:
43 images were shared across social media
22 GBM survivors honored
15 lives were remembered
Links to individual images on Instagram:
- Remembering Jennifer Marie Tougas, by Heather Bourassa
- Honoring Heather Walker (image 1), by Stephen Walker
- Honoring Heather Walker (image 2), by Stephen Walker
- Remembering Walter J. Terlik, by Kim Lachut
- Remembering Amy Masijczyk, by Ashlie Thornbury
- Honoring Supporter, Josh Neman, PhD
- Honoring Kelly Rodenberg, by Lonnie Fosso & Ryan Fosso
- Remembering Katie Monson, by the KM Legacy Foundation
- Remembering Billy Misik (image 1), by Team Carpe Diem
- Remembering Billy Misik (image 2), by Team Carpe Diem
- Honoring Caregiver, Mrs. Chris Misik, by Team Carpe Diem
- Remembering Lou Zucker, by Team Carpe Diem
- Remembering George V. Lenher, by The Lenher Family
- Honoring Steve Kaplan, by Jodi Kaplan
- Honoring Kelli Kelli McLaughlin
- Remembering Martin Romero Sanchez, by Karma Punwasi
- Honoring Supporter, Patricia Yee, PhD
- Remembering Susan Baca, by Ken Finley
- Remembering Roberta Gunn, by Tara N. Gunn
- Honoring Chris Ferry
- Honoring Tyler Dykes
- Honoring Mark Rorie
- Honoring Dennis Sullivan
- Honoring Pam Blackburn
- Remembering Michel Britte, by Noelle Britte
- Honoring Thomas O. McCaffrey
- Remembering Lauren Libby, by Susan Apple Manegold
- Honoring Robert Walker (image 1)
- Honoring Robert Walker (image 2)
- Honoring Paolo Tripodi
- Remembering Ryan, by Tish Cox
- Honoring Cheryl Rostek
- Honoring Rebecca Walker Birk
- Honoring Amy Weitzman
- Remembering Fred Gorman, by Betsy Bartlett
- Honoring Fitriyadi Kusdinata
- Remembering Steve Langford, by Pattie Langford
- Honoring Lance Prejean
- Honoring Karl Schuller
- Honoring Suzanne Samples
- Honoring Neha Mehta
- Remembering Jennifer Marie (image 1), by Bob Benlien
- Remembering Jennifer Marie (image 2), by Bob Benlien
Additional links to where the special GBM Day campaign images can be found:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2ndChance2Live
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2nd.chance.2.live
Twitter: https://twitter.com/2nd_Chance2Live
Hello. My name is Wendy and I’m a recovering workaholic. I'm also a brain tumor/cancer survivor.
The purpose of this blog is to share my experiences, memories, resources, and self-discoveries as I continue to transform from a workaholic into a more balanced person. I have read several books and stories about others who have had similar experiences 