Heading to the Finish Line

NEW YORK, Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The ING New York City Marathon, on Sunday, November 7th, is just around the corner. Running this year are members of Team BTF, a community charity formed by The Brain Tumor Foundation. These runners have more than running on their minds.  They are determined to raise awareness -- because the incidence of brain tumors has doubled in the last ten years and no one knows why.    

Fourteen runners strong, Team BTF is raising money for programs sponsored by The Brain Tumor Foundation, particularly Road to Early Detection, the first-ever national campaign promoting early detection of brain tumors through the use of a Mobile MRI Unit, offering free brain scans throughout the five boroughs of New York City. This initiative is soon to be nationwide.

Barbara LaVallee, team captain is running in memory of her husband, Chris LaVallee who helped spearhead the Road to Early Detection Campaign and died three years ago.

"My husband, Chris, was an incredible man. Chris quietly and courageously battled brain cancer for 12 years. He accepted his burden with strength and dignity and never complained. Chris was an adoring, proud father of Andrew, now five years old.  He was the love of my life and my best friend."

What stands out about the members of Team BTF is that all of them have lost a friend or a family member due to a brain tumor. It is a fact that every 20 minutes, someone dies of a brain tumor.

"It means a lot to me to be able to run this marathon," said Shawn Mattson, a resident New Yorker currently living in Switzerland.   Shawn's father died of a brain tumor in 2009.  She is dedicating her race to him. "My father would be so proud I am finally living my dream.  He was always so loving and supportive.  I know he'd be out there cheering me on!"

The Brain Tumor Foundation guides and supports patients and their families through the turbulent times when their lives are touched by a brain tumor while working to raise awareness about the importance of the early detection.  The Foundation offers peer matching programs and medical referrals in addition to its informational website, www.braintumorfoundation.org.

For more information regarding Road to Early Detection go to www.roadtoearlydetection.org.  

SOURCE The Brain Tumor Foundation