Roughly 1,000 runners, walkers, survivors, and families gathered at Lake View Park in Chicago on Saturday for the 11th Annual BrainUp 5K Run/Walk, a waterfront fundraiser aimed at brain cancer research. Among them was 32-year-old Gavin Walsh, who lined up for the out-and-back course just months after finishing chemotherapy for a brain tumor he was diagnosed with in July.
The event listing, posted by volunteerportal.liveunitedchicago.org, described a fast, flat, out-and-back course along the Chicago waterfront and said volunteer shifts ran from 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. BrainUp is a Chicago-based nonprofit supporting brain cancer research and awareness, and as WGN-TV reports, the organization involves all of the city's university hospitals in its work.
Walsh began experiencing seizures late last year, and imaging earlier this year revealed a brain tumor, leading to his diagnosis. The station's report notes he said his diagnosis was unexpected and difficult to process. Walsh, a father of two young daughters, has since received a post-chemotherapy scan showing no sign of tumor growth, and he told the outlet that bad days are temporary and that people should keep fighting.
A Nonprofit Born From Loss
BrainUp was co-created by Meg Kresach, who started the organization along with her husband, Dan Kresach, after the couple lost their 22-year-old daughter to brain cancer. Per the same account, Dan Kresach said the couple sought to raise money for much-needed research. This year's event included a sunflower tribute wall inspired by their daughter's love of gardening.
Meg Kresach said the event drew positive support despite gray weather, according to the report. The gathering, she and others involved noted, gave patients and families an opportunity to come together. Jackie Bange served as the event's emcee.
Running In Memory, Raising Millions
Danny Parkins, a BrainUp board member, participated in the run in honor of his brother Brad, who died three years ago in April 2023. Parkins has helped raise about $2.1 million for BrainUp over the past three years, the station's report states.
Parkins said glioblastoma is underfunded and terminal, without a cure. He said the disease is classified as rare but is not, in his words, that rare, and that private philanthropy is crucial to closing the gap. Those involved in the event said brain cancer research could eventually help turn the disease into a chronic condition that can be monitored with quality of life, or could eventually lead to a cure.
The Scale of the Disease Nationally
The stakes behind Saturday's fundraiser are reflected in national data. The Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States estimates that 107,100 new malignant and non-malignant brain and central nervous system tumor cases are expected to be diagnosed nationwide, based on data collected from 2018 through 2022, according to cbtrus.org.
CBTRUS also estimates that approximately 14,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with glioblastoma this year. The organization says its data on the disease are meant to drive clinical decisions and promote drug trials. Separately, the National Brain Tumor Society's Brain Tumor Awareness Month campaign estimates that about 1 million Americans are currently living with a brain tumor, per the same source.
