Welcome!

One day back in April 2006, I went out for a run like any other day only it was not. About a mile into my run, I lost my balance and landed on a park bench. I called my neighbor and friend, Paul Mallia, using a passer-byers cell phone to come pick me up and take me home. After being misdiagnosed with a possible inner ear infection, I went to an ENT that ended up ordering an MRI as I checked out as 100%. I do recall the MRI being on a Monday and receiving a call by my ENT's nurse to come see them in the morning. He showed me the xray and all he knew is that I had a large mass in my cerebellum. Drew, Jake, Mom, and Kevin were present and all we could think about was my dad that passing away of an inoperable brain tumor in his frontal lobe back in 1988 at age 57. Very scary!!! The ENT then made an appt for me to see Dr. Alan Friedman at Duke's Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center the following Tuesday (a week later). Dr. Friedman diagnosed me with having a 4.5cm hemangioblastoma (benign brain tumor) in the cerebellum. He got me in for surgery to remove the tumor that Friday. The surgery was a success with a follow-up MRI nine weeks later that showed no more tumor. I cannot say enough about my family, friends, doctors, and nurses that helped me through this most difficult time. Right On!

The funds raised at this event will support cutting-edge brain tumor research. At Duke, ground-breaking lab research is translated into treatments for patients more quickly than anywhere else. Your gift will give Duke's investigators the resources needed to push their research efforts at a much faster rate.

I am asking you to help by supporting my fund-raising efforts with a donation. You can either join my team or donate. Your tax-deductible gift will make a difference in the lives of many!

I greatly appreciate your support! If you have any questions or comments, please let me know.

Right On!

Stiffy (a.k.a. Todd)