For Tim Abbas and his family, life took an unexpected turn on an April morning in 2022. What started as a moment of confusion eventually spiraled into a life-changing diagnosis. Today, with courage and support he’s navigating brain cancer with renewed hope.
In April of 2022, Tim woke up feeling disoriented and unsettled. He asked his wife, Gina, the same question repeatedly and found himself unable to remember simple details. Just a few minutes later, his memory returned, and Tim brushed it all off. His primary care doctor prescribed medication and assured him it was likely nothing serious.
Yet, six months later, while teaching his high school social studies class, Tim suffered a seizure.
ER doctors confirmed the unimaginable: a large brain tumor in his left frontal lobe. This sudden and shocking diagnosis marked the beginning of an intense journey.
Tim’s Intense Treatment Journey
Tim was ultimately diagnosed with a grade 3 astrocytoma. His treatment journey began with an awake craniotomy, during which 83% of the tumor was removed.
He then underwent concurrent radiation and chemotherapy, but despite this aggressive treatment, the tumor recurred, progressing to grade four. That’s when his neuro-oncologist suggested a clinical trial—an opportunity that would take him from Michigan to Northwestern Medicine’s Malnati Brain Tumor Institute in Chicago.
Clinical Trial for Vorasidenib Was a Game-Changer
In January 2024, Tim entered a clinical trial for vorasidenib, a promising therapy targeting his tumor’s unique IDH-1 mutation. Tim first heard about vorasidenib at the ABTA 2023 National Conference, so he was hopeful. The vorasidenib trial has granted Tim additional time, allowing him to savor precious moments with his family and look forward to milestones he once feared he might miss.
“My neurosurgeon told me that this disease will be the reason I die, but he also said there’s always hope with new research,” he recalls. Tim’s participation in this trial is helping pave the way for future treatments, offering hope to those who, like him, seek better outcomes and the possibility of a cure.
Greater Resilience with ABTA Resources & Support
When he and Gina first learned of the diagnosis, the ABTA’s website became a lifeline, offering valuable information and resources that helped them navigate the overwhelming world of brain cancer. They attended the ABTA National Conference twice, finding strength in connecting with others facing similar challenges.
“Being there among people who understand makes me feel less alone,” Tim says. The ABTA’s support through educational brochures, events, and community resources has also helped Tim and Gina face each day with greater resilience.
Forced to leave his teaching career of over 20 years, Tim is still grappling with the challenges of his illness while adjusting to life on permanent disability.
For Gina, who manages the family’s finances and supports Tim as his primary caregiver, the ABTA’s new financial assistance program, the Glenn Garcelon Fund (GGF), has been a tremendous relief. Facing significant medical expenses after Tim left teaching, Gina juggles two jobs to make ends meet. With financial aid from programs like GGF, she was able to cover essential costs for their daughter’s school fees and supplies, allowing her to focus on her family and feel a sense of normalcy amidst their daily battles.
“Opening that email from the ABTA and seeing that we’d been approved—it was a moment of relief that made me feel less alone,” Gina says. “If you are in a position to help, I hope you will consider it. Even if it’s a small amount. Every gift adds up to make a big difference.”
Help Make a Difference
For those who want to make a difference, Tim and Gina emphasize that supporting organizations like the ABTA is vital. Donations fund life-saving research, provide critical resources to families, and offer financial relief to those struggling with the high costs of treatment.
About Meet Hope Head On
Because of the generous support from people like you, the ABTA has given over $35 million for brain tumor research. The ABTA’s campaign, “Meet Hope Head On,” created for our 50th anniversary, is focused on raising $50 million, in part to fund critical brain tumor research. This campaign is vital for continuing the kind of work that led to the recent FDA approval of vorasidenib, a breakthrough treatment for low-grade glioma.
