On September 1, 2011, my husband, Phil Baumann (of Baumann Paint & body) was diagnosed with brain cancer called Glioblastoma Multiforme, Grade 4. A Glioma is the main group of brain tumors, occurring in 65% of brain tumors. Glioblastoma originates in the glial cells that surround and support neurons. It is highly resistant to radiation and chemotherapy and so invasive that surgery almost never eliminates it. Patients suffering from this malignant Glioma live on average for about 14 months with treatment.
We were devastated. Our son, Colby, was 8 years old when Phil was diagnosed, and is now 21 and attending Ohio State University. After 6 surgeries in 5 1/2 years, we desperately put our faith in God and the research team at MD Anderson in hopes one day they find a cure.
On Phil’s second tumor we opted not to have surgery and instead take our chances with a trial at MD Anderson called Delta-24-RGD. The virus spreads in a wave through the tumors until there is no cancer cells left. Delta-24-RGD forces tumor cells to devour themselves. The virus has been engineered to ‘infect’ only cells that lack the Rb tumor suppressor gene, a condition unique to tumor cells.
About 17,000 people are diagnosed with cancer that began in or next to the brain every year in the United States.
Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and most malignant primary tumor of the brain and associated with one of the worst 5-year survival rates among all human cancers. Nevertheless, a small fraction of glioblastoma patients survive for more than 36 months. These patients are referred to as long-term survivors. We want to increase these statistics and put more money into research and help find a CURE for Phil and all others.
With Standard chemo and radiation treatment Phil was given 14 months to live, but due to taking our chances with the Delta-24 RGD trial at MD Anderson he made it just shy of 6 years fighting this disease and had many years to spend with his family that most don’t get. That was way more than they said he would survive with standard treatment and we believe it is due to the research at MD Anderson.
Our focus is to raise money to put into research to help them find a Cure and that can’t come too soon for us. CureFest is a fundraiser and all monies go to MD Anderson Brain Cancer Research. Brain Cancer is one of the least funded cancers and has the least awareness out there. Finding a Cure for all types of brain tumors will not happen overnight. It needs lots of research – if we are to achieve the same successes in treatments as have been discovered for diseases such as Leukemia, breast and lung cancer.
We have started this effort by putting together several Fundraiser’s every year in Humble such as Golf Tournaments, Tennis Tournaments, Fishing Tournaments and sometimes Music Festivals. All proceeds will go to The Brain Cancer Research.
We have raised over a million dollars towards Cancer Research in 12 years. We can’t stop now!
Our next big event is our Purse Bingo which is scheduled for September 27, 2024 at the Humble Civic Center. It will be a day filled with lots of fun for the whole family, including food and silent auction items.
