<< Back
Two-Time Brain Tumor Survivor to Run Chicago Marathon
Des Plaines, IL, (August, 2008) – For Connie Simms, life has been series of second chances from which she has grown in courage, strength and humor.
A survivor of two brain tumors, Simms is running in the 2008 Chicago Marathon on October 12th as part of the American Brain Tumor Association’s (ABTA) Runner’s Sharing Hope Team to help raise money for brain tumor research.
Simms, of Carpentersville, IL, is running for herself, as well as family members and friends who also have survived brain tumors and other brain conditions. In 1989, her sister, Tracy, was rushed to the hospital emergency room with a burst brain aneurysm. She was in a coma for nine months, and underwent numerous brain surgeries followed by years of rehabilitation. Today she is paralyzed on the left side of her body, is unable to walk, and has limited speaking abilities.
In 1991, Simms was diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent immediate surgery. Then in December of last year, a second brain tumor appeared resulting in more surgery and treatment from which she continues to recover. And just in the past few months, Connie’s father-in-law, Joe, was diagnosed with a brain tumor, also resulting in surgery and treatment.
“I am running my first marathon for those who have touched my heart and mean so much to me,” said Simms. “This is for my sister, Tracy; for me; my wonderful father-in-law, Joe; and for all my family and friends who have lived through, or are going through, a brain tumor diagnosis. My love, my prayers, my hopes and dreams are there to support all the families in this world who have lost someone due to a brain tumor or anything associated with the brain.”
Since 1973, the American Brain Tumor Association has been a leader in brain tumor research, education and support. This year, the Des Plaines-based ABTA will fund more than $2.6 million in research and provide desperately needed support and information to more than 1.5 million brain tumor patients and their families.
Funds raised by the Runner’s Sharing Hope Team will go toward finding breakthroughs in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and, ultimately, elimination of brain tumors.
For more information on ABTA, visit the Web site at www.abta.org. Information on the 2008 Runners Sharing Hope Team is available at http://www.active.com/donate/abta2008.
###
2720 River Road
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Phone: 847-827-9910
Fax: 847-827-9918
Toll-free Phone: 800-886-2282
E-mail: info@abta.org