Help Megan raise money

Hi! I am taking part in the 2022 AISICS Falmouth Road Race on 8/21 as a member of the National Brain Tumor Society's "Gray Nation Endurance Team" in honor of my late father, Dr. Kevin Gebert, who passed away from a glioblastoma in July of 2019 at the age of 68. 

Dubbed “the terminator” of cancers, glioblastoma multiforme, or GBM, is a fast-growing and extremely aggressive type of malignant brain tumor. The median survival time of a person after diagnosis is just 12-15 months and the disease's five-year survival rate is only 7%. There is no known cure. 

The current standard of care (consisting of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy) is ineffective in battling GBM. Although radiation and chemotherapy can help improve symptoms and give patients a little more time, they can also greatly reduce quality of life — so much so, in fact, that some patients opt out of treatment altogether. Without treatment, the median survival time after a glioblastoma diagnosis is only 3-6 months.

The National Brain Tumor Society is working to change this narrative by funding critical research into the treatment of glioblastoma. Thanks to their research, we now know more than ever how glioblastoma evolve — and, more importantly, what vulnerabilities exist that can be attacked with novel treatments. 

I have experienced, first hand, how devastating this brain tumor is. The trauma it inflicts on patients and their families is immeasurable and long-lasting. As a physician, I know my father would want to do everything in his power both to spread awareness about GBM and to promote funding for research into better treatment options and an eventual cure. He would never want anyone to have to suffer the way that he did. 

I hope you will consider making a donation to the National Brain Tumor Society to support their work toward a cure for glioblastoma. Every dollar is a step toward a future where a glioblastoma diagnosis isn’t a death sentence; a future where patients and their families can finally have some hope <3

Let’s raise as much money as we can and make Kevin proud! 

With sincere gratitude, 

Megan 
 
PS - My father was so much more than his diagnosis. Here is a little bit about him: He was a brilliant general surgeon and the smartest person I have ever known. He was devoted to medicine and to helping others. He loved downhill skiing, golfing, fly-fishing, sailing, playing bocce and autocross racing his Miata. He was a huge Manchester City fan. Once upon a time, he played the bagpipes (kilt and all!). He had really good taste in music. He was the person everyone went to for advice; he had this uncanny ability to help you work out a problem without telling you what he thought you should do. He put butter on Danish. He liked to sit on the beach by the ocean in the late afternoon, reading. He was my favorite person to talk to; without him here “there is less to say." He appreciated a good Scotch and liked a little sip of Sambucca after dinner. He gave great hugs. His favorite exclamation? "Outstanding!"