UC Brain Tumor Center

234 Goodman Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219 | (866) 941-UCNI (8264)

Brain Tumor Patient Care Fund

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In December 2006 Sue Craig was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. After treatment with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, she said she “enjoyed 12 months before getting a report of cancer recurrence.” There was no known cure for the type of tumor Mrs. Craig had, but she said she was sustained by her personal belief that “I’m not dying of cancer, I’m living with it!”

Mrs. Craig died on Oct. 13, 2008, at the age of 72.

Treating brain tumors is expensive, and some of the newest drugs are not covered by insurance. One of Mrs. Craig’s legacies, the Brain Tumor Patient Care Fund, seeks to provide financial assistance to patients who cannot afford the treatments they need.

Mrs. Craig, who is survived by her husband and three adult children, was a group project manager at Procter & Gamble. After retiring in 1993, she devoted herself to innumerable causes, including the Christ Presbyterian Church, the Linus Project and the Clermont County League of Women Voters.

To make a donation to the UC Brain Tumor Center through the University Hospital Foundation, please contact:

Liz Keating
Development Officer
University Hospital Foundation
254 Goodman Street
Cincinnati, OH 45219

(513) 584-8989
elizabeth.keating@uchealth.com

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UCNI Weekly Blog

Hope, Innovation, Progress, Support:

The 2010 Midwest Regional Brain Tumor Conference

Review the presentations »

Hope Stories

Alisha's Story: Acoustic Neuroma

There was a time in Alisha’s young life when she was angry at her fate and bitter about her life. “I wondered why this had to happen to me,” she said. Her outlook has changed to one of eagerness and optimism.

Ameer's Story: Pituitary Tumor

Ameer’s friends noticed the weight loss, and they kept asking him about it. Was he OK? Ameer wasn’t concerned at first. Then he began to notice that he couldn’t see people approaching him from the side. His peripheral vision was deteriorating.

Blake's Story: Medulloblastoma

Blake knew he was in the right hands the moment he saw the surgeon’s wrists. Dr. John M. Tew, Blake’s neurosurgeon, was wearing one of Lance Armstrong’s yellow LiveStrong cancer bracelets. So was Blake. Dr. Tew, who was also sporting a Tour de France lanyard, was an avid cyclist. So was Blake.

Brian's Story: Meningioma

“Carefree” is the word Brian uses to describe his life back then.

He was 39 years old, happily married and the father of three children under the age of 5.

“Life was busy, but that felt normal,” he says, reflecting. “The only lingering health issue was consistent headaches for a period of two-plus years.”

Charlene's Story: 5 Years and Counting with Glioblastoma

As a five-year survivor of glioblastoma multiforme, one of the most dangerous types of brain tumors, Charlene has reached a notable landmark.

Doc's Story: Metastatic Brain Tumors

First there were headaches. Bad ones. Migraines, probably. Then, one day in mid-May, 2010, his knee, foot and arm went numb on his left side. Darrell “Doc” Rodgers, the 700WLW radio personality, feared he was having a stroke.

Jerry’s Story: Spinal Tumor

On an ordinary day in February 2009, John M. Tew, MD, got one of the true surprises of his career. He was seeing patients in his Mayfield Clinic office on the University of Cincinnati medical campus when an unexpected guest arrived. Jerry, a retired law enforcement officer from rural Kentucky, walked into Dr. Tew’s office to say thank you.

Joe’s Story: Oligodendroglioma

Joe calls it a miracle and a gift from “a higher power.” Others might call it a fortuitous turn of fate. Either way, Joe’s experience embodies a reversal of fortune that is both wonderful and startling. Once a man with a brain tumor and little hope, Joe is today cancer-free and buoyed by a favorable prognosis.

John’s Story: Gliobastoma

John, a retired painter and carpenter, is a tall, solidly built man with a strong inclination toward getting things done. A former Vista volunteer who was equally comfortable running a food co-op in an underserved neighborhood or standing near the top of a tall ladder, he is a natural at lending a hand to people who can’t quite make it on their own.

Kevin's Story: Acoustic Neuroma

Kevin was in his mid-40s when he began to notice that he wasn’t hearing quite as well as in the past. But the change was gradual, so he didn’t worry about it. A few years went by, and the hearing loss became more noticeable. "I started having problems hearing on the phone," he recalled. "Words were sometimes distorted. It was very weird."

Sandra’s Story Glioma

Sandra (Sandy) is a smiling, breathing reminder that hope exists for patients with even the most challenging type of brain tumors.

Nine years ago, when Sandy was first told that she had six months to live, she stared back blankly at her doctor. “Who are they talking about?” she remembers thinking. “That isn’t me. I’m not going anywhere. I was determined to live.”