Brett Tutterow's Story:

Shortly before his 12th birthday, my strong, athletic, rough-and-tumble son, Brett, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. During the surgery to remove the tumor, microscopic cancer cells escaped into his spinal fluid. This made him a “high risk” patient with an already life-threatening condition. As a result, he endured more than a year of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries. He couldn’t eat, and lost so much weight, he had to be fed exclusively through a g-tube which was surgically inserted into his stomach. He lost all his hair, much of his strength, and missed an entire year of school.   
                                                                                                                     
Throughout all of this turmoil, Brett remained positive and was determined to beat the cancer. He never complained or gave in to self pity. Every night, as he was given his shots and hooked up to the feeding machine, he would list 3 things he had to be thankful for, things like a favorite nurse being on duty, or being able to be at home for the night  sleeping with his dog on his bed. Surely, this upbeat attitude was a major factor in his survival.

Although Brett is still being followed by his beloved doctors, dreads those hour and a half MRIs, and deals with some memory and processing issues, he is 7 years “cancer free”! He is an almost 20 year old young man, enjoying friends, loving life and having relatively few health problems from his cancer ordeal. Even as he starts his second year of college this fall, Brett delights in traveling to CHOA to visit with newly diagnosed patients. He always offers this encouragement: “I am a SURVIVOR. Do not believe you will be anything less!”                                                                                         

Janie Swanson Tutterow
 

About September & CURE'S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:
September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE's Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!

Please help us in our goal of raising $30,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.

For more information, please click here.


About CURE Childhood Cancer:
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.

The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.

Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.

Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.

Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.

Also, we wanted to give a special thanks to all of our offline donors.  We appreciate your support!

Robin Swanson Harlan = $50.00
Linda Agan Tutterow = $50.00
Caroll Richardson Crews = $10.00
Melody Dillworth Biederman = $10.00
Judith Greene = $20.00
Jim Wilson, Jr. = $50.00
Mr. Larry A. Prince = $10.00
David and Ina Shaver = $25.00

*The total for all offline donations is reflected in the offline donation box.