Help Courtney raise money

Hi everyone!! Thank you for visiting my fundraising page for the 2022 Falmouth Road race.  I will be running with the National Brain Tumor Society and I'm so honored to be apart of this team!  

My dad was diagnosed with Glioblastoma in June 2017 and it was a devastating diagnosis for our family.  He had a very successful surgery, thanks to his amazing doctor (Dr. Nahed at MGH!) and was out of the hospital a few days later.  He completed radiation and chemo and did really well until May 2018 when his tumor grew back.  Unfortunately the tumor was too much to fight and on October 6, 2018 he lost his battle with cancer.

The statistics are devastating.  Glioblastomas are complex, treatment-resistant and the deadliest type of brain cancer.  The five-year survival rate for glioblastoma patients is only 7.2% and the median length of survival is only 8 months - my dad was 15 months.  An estimated 10,000 Americans will succumb to glioblastoma each year.  Despite first being identified in scientific literature in the 1920s, there are only four FDA approved drugs – and one device – to treat glioblastoma.  We need more treatments - my dad had limited options to save his life.  

Our amazing family has rallied over the past few years to raise money for brain cancer research because it's so close to our hearts.  In our first National Brain Tumor Society walk, only 2 weeks after my dad passed away, we raised ~$15k and won the Spirit Award that year.   

I've been wanting to sign up for the Falmouth Road Race to raise money, but I am not a runner so I was of course very hesitant!  With a little liquid courage (haha), I applied and was accepted to run in memory of my dad.  I am beyond excited (and nervous!) and I hope I make my dad proud!

Love you dad! xoxo  #JoeBanksStrong