(Today's blog comes from the Executive Director of the National Brain Tumor Society, N. Paul TonThat.)

I have been pondering what to share with you all on my first blog. Do I tell you all some of what we are working on? Perhaps why we think that systems biology and other integrative cancer approaches are so promising and yet needs maturity and further investment.

Then I met Bailey last Sunday in Philadelphia. Her father handed me a check for $100 and Bailey explained what it is for. I asked her to send me what she told me in her own words because I would not be able to do her justice. She captures both the hope all of us feel as we fund promising brain tumor research and the fear we all feel that the disease is winning. I know that it is not winning as long as we all continue to fight.  We do however need to more quickly translate what could be in the lab and clinic to what should be in the patient rooms.

Letter from Bailey:

My name is Bailey Waskiewicz and I am 10 years old. I live in Bensalem, Pa., and I am in 5th grade at Our Lady of Grace school. When I was 8 I found out that my mom had a brain tumor in 1998 and had surgery to get it out. I was so sad for my mom, I decided I wanted to donate money to brain tumor research. I started saving most of my money that I got for birthdays and Christmas. I told my mom I was saving it for brain tumor research, but I think she thought I might want to go spend it. In October 2010, my mom was diagnosed with a new brain tumor. I am very scared for her and I hope she is going to be ok. On Sunday morning before we left for the brain tumor walk, I brought all my money to the kitchen and dumped it on the table and told my mom and dad I wanted to bring it with me to donate. My mom was so happy and she cried, and she couldn't believe I had saved $100 and wanted to donate it. I hope I can save up a lot more to donate next year and I hope there is a cure for everyone soon.  

From,
Bailey