Donations

Donations can be made online, or turned in at the event.

If you cannot take part in the Ski Day but would like to further the cause, donations are always welcome!
Please make your check payable to "NBTS Oligo Fund MFL Ski Day 2010" and send it to:

     MFL Ski Day - NBTS
     PO Box 1071
     Evergreen, CO 80437-1071

What is an Oligo?

An oligo, short for oligodendroglioma, is a type of primary brain tumor that begins in brain cells called oligodendrocytes. These cells nourish the cells that transmit nerve impulses. This tumor is normally found in the cerebrum, the main part of the brain. Michael was diagnosed with this type of tumor and it is why we have asked donations be directed toward research to study and ultimately cure this relatively rare form.

Characteristics:

• Occurs frequently in the frontal or temporal lobes
• Can be classified as low grade or high grade
• Common among men and women in their 20s to 40s, but can occur in children
• More common in men than women
• Accounts for slightly less than three percent of all brain tumors
• Responds more favorably to treatment than other brain tumor types

Symptoms:

• Seizures
• Headaches
• Behavioral and cognitive changes
• Weakness or paralysis

Treatment:

• Treatment options include:
  • Surgery
  • Radiation
  • Chemotherapy
• Which type treatment to use is a complex decision and requires in-depth discussions with expert physicians. For recurrent low-grade oligodendroglial tumors, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy may each play an important role. Surgically removing the tumor may reduce symptoms. If radiation therapy was not administered initially, it is likely to be effective for recurrent disease. Response to chemotherapy (temozolomide) has occurred in approximately 50 percent of patients with low-grade oligodendroglioma that recurs after radiation.

Research:

• We were very pleased that the then NBTF named one of the 2008 grants after Michael. It will be lead by Andrew Lassman, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York. His study will conduct a multi-institution collaboration to collect clinical data and compare outcomes among more than 1,000 patients treated with various strategies in the USA and Canada in the last 20 years. This is the largest study ever conducted of patients with anaplastic oligodendroglioma. They will determine the most effective treatment strategy in order to establish the most appropriate standard of care for this disease.

More information:

• If you would like to learn more, please visit www.braintumor.org