Voices Against Brain Cancer
Research in Acornhoek

Voices Against Brain Cancer, research, donations, cures for brain cancer, volunteers and sponsors.

Soon after his passing, Gary’s family started Voices Against Brain Cancer to raise money and awareness for the fight against this devastating disease. This resource is a unique support system for patients, caregivers and families afflicted by brain cancer and brain tumors. But today is also the day in which our friend is finally at peace. If cancer was what had brought Gary back to New York, we would talk about everything but it. Because he made me and so many of his friends and family members believe that too. Courage is contagious, and that brief time when Gary was living with cancer was all the more special because of that courage. Instead of hiding in a corner and cowering from it, Gary embraced life with a vigor that made all of us smile. Instead of hopelessness, he made each day feel like a gift from God. Never was he more engaged in the world around him than in those last few months. There was no time to fear, no time to be sad, there was too much to do. During the past few horrific months, it’s easy to see where Gary has gotten so much of his strength and courage from. But we should not fear for you Gary, because you were not afraid. Since Gary lived in Chicago, we didn’t get to see each other very often. My parents didn’t want to tell Gary the extent of what his diagnosis was right away, so for the next 24 hours we waited as Gary recuperated from the surgery. We spoke privately the day before he went into the coma. Gary faced his illness with God by his side, with dignity, with understanding, and surrounded by people who loved him. He left the physical world too quickly, but not without making it a better place for having been here and knowing him. For Gary, college was not only about successfully getting into the Michigan Business School, but it was also making friends, being involved in the Greek system, and cheering on the sports teams (Go Blue!). While undergoing radiation, he reconnected with his many high school friends. Gary’s many friends were also supportive of us when he inexplicably slipped into a coma 3 months after his initial diagnosis. Courage and faith are contagious, and during that brief time when Gary was living with cancer, he helped redefine those words for all of us that were so close to him. There was no time to fear, no time to be sad-there was too much to do. He dared us to believe that we are each a wonderful and unique person. He made us understand that life is not a problem to solve, but a gift to cherish.