Sabina Schwab is a brain tumor patient, patient advisor, and patient advocate in the brain tumor community. “I don't think I could be as strong as I am today if I didn't have hope,” says Sabine. The ABTA provides hope, not just by its services, but also by providing a place where patients can come together and support each other.”
Paul McDowell has survived 20 plus years with a brain tumor. “If I had known that was possible when I was diagnosed, it would've made a world of difference. Hope is everything. Join me in meeting hope head on.”
When Chad Schafer’s wife, Juliana, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2004, they got a dog on the way home from the hospital and named her “Hope.” Chad and Juliana were active supporters of the ABTA for 17 years, and Chad meets hope head on by picking up where Juliana left off – waking up every day and dedicating time and effort to find a cure for brain tumors.
Katie is a 20-year brain tumor survivor, and her mom Karen has been with her every step of the way. Katie says that “hope looks like living every day in the moment. I want you all to be here with me, and I want you all to fight with me and next to me. I want you all to meet hope head on.”
Rob and Melanie Johnson are long-time ABTA mentors. They're passionate about empowering patients and caregivers. “We learn as much from mentees as they do from us!”
Your Story Matters—
We Want to Hear from you
Everyone’s story is unique, just like every brain tumor is unique. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, a long-time survivor or a caregiver, we want to hear from you. So tell us, what’s your story?
Here's how I Meet Hope Head On:
There are two ways to share your story:
- Download this pdf. You can print and fill out manually, or open in Acrobat and completed digitally and then print. Then, take a photo with the sign and upload it on Step 3.
- Don’t want to print the pdf? You can just fill out the form below and input your story and your own photo on Step 3.
We will post your story here once it’s approved. Thank you for being a part of our community!
A COMMUNITY OF HOPE
"I meet hope head on by FEARLESSLY doing all of the things my brain tumor tried to steal from me: living, speaking, loving my husband, raising my little boy, and enjoying my career. That astrocytoma chose the wrong girl!" - Julia
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"Finding something to be grateful for each day … some days it’s difficult but in spite of the brutal diagnosis, we discovered some beautiful moments during the journey …. Brutiful." - Beverly
"I Meet Hope Head On by sharing my story and being a mentor for the ABTA." - Rob
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"As a one-year meningioma survivor, I feel strong. I meet hope head on with a fresh view of life. I’m doing more, helping more, learning more, giving more, sharing more, forgiving more and cherishing more. Within a minute things can change so quickly— people, life that is what matters." -Dawn
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"I Meet Hope Head On by advocating for more research breakthroughs and medical innovations that helped my dad survive 40 years with a pituitary brain tumor." -Jessie
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"I meet hope head on by carrying on my husband Christian's memory and knowing that his brain cancer journey, though difficult and full of waves - ups and downs, did not drown out the great person he was and the permanent mark he left." - Rose
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"After being medically retired for eight years due to a malignant brain tumor, I decided to meet hope head on by stepping into a full-time position with the ABTA. I feel incredibly fortunate to have the chance to live out my purpose by being a part of something much more impactful for the brain tumor community than I could possibly accomplish on my own." -Wendy
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"Almost 20 years post-surgery and thriving! Helping researchers get funding they need to find a cure!" -Jen
"I meet hope head on by learning to enjoy the little things in life and by not taking life as granted." -Victor
"I met hope head on by taking care of my dad. My dad was diagnosed with GBM in 2014. After surgery, chemo and radiation—the tumor returned with a vengeance. My heart shattered as I laid my head on his chest listening to his heartbeat stop." -Pam
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Meet Hope Head On is our five-year $50-million campaign to triple our research investment, double the patients we serve, and double federal funding for brain tumor research.
