Did you know that glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most complex, deadly, and treatment-resistant cancers? It is estimated that nearly 10,000 people in the United States will receive a GBM diagnosis each year. The average length of survival for a GBM patient right now is estimated to be about 8 months. And it was first identified in scientific literature in the 1920s! Yet, since then, there have only been 4 drugs approved by the FDA for GBM treatment!

Why does any of this matter? It matters because I had never heard the word glioblastoma uttered until it came knocking on my front door in early 2017 in the form of my mom's terminal GBM diagnosis. My mom was fortunate enough to be enrolled in a clinical trial at Duke University, getting to experience some of the new and improved scientific advancements in treating this deadly disease that helped her live an additional 13 months of life over what doctors originally estimated! Ultimately, she lost her hard and long-fought battle with GBM in late 2018 but it was with the help of research and new advnactemnts in medicine that we were afforded so much more time with her!

GBM has had a direct impact on my family and I’s life. As I have embarked on my own journey to becoming an occupational therapist, I have learned of the impact it has had on many others' lives as well. GBM is one of the most deadly cancers, and yet still has a significant lack of funding. Chances are, you know someone indirectly who has been affected by it in some way

So, I am running the Falla Walla HALF MARATHON on October 12, 2024, in honor of my mom, Cherie McCormick, to raise funds for GBM research! Something about this just felt like the right way to honor my mom. She loved to run, and I was always inspired by her determination to be active despite her diagnosis. In fact, she ran 5 miles on the beach just days before receiving her GBM diagnosis!

I will be running to raise funds for The Glioblastoma Research Organization. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises awareness and funds for new global, cutting-edge research to find a cure for glioblastoma. The purpose of the Glioblastoma Research Organization is to provide financial support to doctors and researchers around the world that are working on developing cutting-edge technologies and clinical trials through research to increase the rate of survival in patients and ultimately find a cure for GBM.

If you have made it this far, thank you for reading and learning about GBM and my mom’s story. I truly believe that the more we educate others about GBM, the quicker we will see more advancements in the science that goes into treating GBM. This is just my small way of making a contribution to raise awareness and funds!

All the best,

Claire