Lloydminster Spring Sprint May 29 Brings Together Brain Tumour Survivors

May 25, 2011

In less than one year, Veronica Bailey has traveled a wild emotional and physical journey that has taken her from comfortable retiree to brain tumour survivor and research fundraiser. Today, this journey has brought Veronica to a place of comfort and hope as she plans to participate in the annual Lloydminster Spring Sprint on Sunday, May 29 at Bud Miller Park.

Veronica’s symptoms such as vision trouble began in the fall of 2009 but they were attributed to stress and when they appeared to go away, this explanation seemed appropriate. When she began to experience balance issues during yoga practice, her doctor became concerned and sent her to a neurosurgeon. In hindsight, the symptoms were there. “My husband noticed I was slowing down in my movements and was having a lack of focus for about a year before they found the tumour,” recalls Veronica. “After my friends found out, they said they noticed changes in me, in particular my speech, which I had put off to age.”

While her symptoms were subtle, the neurosurgeon was concerned and within five days she underwent a CT scan. Then, on the Friday before the long holiday weekend in May 2010 she was told she had a brain tumour. It was a large (five centimeter) Meningioma, which had displaced most of her right frontal lobe, explaining her symptoms. The tumour needed to be removed. “It was a huge shock and decision to make and over the long weekend. I decided to get the surgery as quickly as possible,” says Veronica. “I turned to my husband and children and they were very optimistic that I’d get through it.”

While her family was optimistic, there were still fears. “I would break down and cry very easily. I was scared of being brain damaged and becoming a burden on my family. My daughters are in their twenties and it saddened me that I might not be a part of their lives. I also didn’t want to face the prospect of dealing with cancer. I thought I would be stoic, but I wasn’t,” recalls Veronica.

The following Thursday Veronica underwent her surgery where the tumour was removed and determined to be non-malignant. While she did experience some short term muscle memory issues due to swelling, she has recovered from that and life is now returning to normal. Veronica is hopeful for the future and she wants to share it with others, “Don’t give up hope: I had a brain tumour and going through surgery wasn’t a horrible experience.”

This hope extends to the importance of research and so she is supporting Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada’s Spring Sprint. She says, “I’m participating along with my yoga teacher because we have to keep fighting for a cure.” Lloydminster’s Spring Sprint, Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada’s national fundraising walkathon program, features a 5km route for walkers, joggers and runners starting from Bud Miller All Seasons Park. The event is run by a dedicated group of local volunteers who are determined to improve the lives of those affected by a brain tumour. The national goal this year is to raise $1.5 million to fund research into the cause and better treatments for brain tumours.

“The prospect for all of the research that will be conducted as a result of the funds raised is very exciting,” says Susan Marshall, Executive Director of Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. “Our vision is to find a cure for brain tumours and to improve the quality of life for those affected and we all move closer to this reality with the efforts of Spring Sprint.”

Donations also support important education, information, and support for the estimated 55,000 Canadians affected by brain tumours such as: one-on-one support available via telephone or email, resources for adult and pediatric patients (available in both official languages) and education opportunities. Patient care is improved with health care professional in-services and workshops at local treatment centres. Patients benefit from the toll free information and support line, information such as Patient Resource Handbooks and the newly launched website www.braintumour.ca. These programs and services are run by Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada with the vision to find the cause of and cure for brain tumours while improving the quality of life for those affected. Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada was founded in London, ON in 1982.

“My hope is that this research will find a cure. Any donations are important because that’s the way medical discoveries are made,” says Veronica. “Being active and being with others who have had similar experiences, sharing your experience is better than not and you’re part of a group that’s working together.”


Event: Spring Sprint for Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada
5km walk and run for walkers, joggers and runners.
Dates: Sunday, May 29, 2011: Check-in: 10:00 a.m. & Start: 11:00 a.m.
Location: Bud Miller All Seasons Park, 2902 - 59 Avenue, Lloydminster, AB, T9V 0W2
Register: www.springsprint.ca or 1 800 265 5106


For more information contact:
Megan Winkler
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada
Phone: 1-800-265-5106 x 232
Email: mwinkler@braintumour.ca
Website: www.braintumour.ca

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Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada

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