"I think it was a huge, huge factor, if we want to call me still being here a success." Raymond credits a medical device, called Optune, with helping him survive years beyond his diagnosis. "It was an opportunity for the kids to see somebody actively working towards getting better and to see that, you know, it's not necessarily a death sentence," he said. While working as an outdoor educator in Ottawa with low-income teens, Raymond underwent traditional treatment, but also participated in a clinical trial. Those between 20 and 44 have a 14 per cent chance of living past the five-year mark, according to the Canadian Cancer Society - nearly double the rate. While Raymond was diagnosed at age 26, this form of cancer is not unheard of in younger patients.Īge can have a "dramatic effect on survival," Perry pointed out. He has treated hundreds of glioblastoma patients, including Gord Downie. James Perry is the head of neurology at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. Those more remote regions may harbour residual cancer cells that can spark recurrence, he noted.ĭr. James Perry, the neuro-oncologist who treated Downie, explained that surgery may remove the bulk of a tumour, but often there are areas of the brain that can't safely be accessed. The exact cause of the disease is unknown.ĭr. Glioblastoma spreads quickly and is difficult to treat because as the tumour grows, it sends out finger-like tentacles that worm their way into surrounding brain tissue. Age can have 'dramatic effect on survival' "You reach out and you try to find some hope out there and, of course, every hopeful story that you land on ends with a little line that says, 'so-and-so passed away,'" Raymond said. Still, his chances of survival were bleak as he faced the daunting task of undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. Thirty-six hours later, he underwent surgery to remove it. He's pictured here with his sister, Andrée Ryan, centre. "And now we've had some people who are just so grateful for the opportunity to be like him and be out there and say 'This is my situation."' The foundation has also benefited from fundraising in Downie's name, including money donated through events held by Tragically Hip tribute bands, among them Practically Hip and Almost Hip.Raymond had surgery to remove the tumour, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. "Lots of times we find there's a stigma with brain tumours, so people don't feel that comfortable letting the whole world know," she said from London, Ont. Susan Marshall, CEO of the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, said Downie's courage in publicly revealing his terminal cancer has not only raised awareness of the disease and created a spike in donations, but it has also inspired others battling brain cancer to share their own stories. "Everybody feels this is a bit of a national cause right now, which is terrific." People are doing everything from backyard parties to larger-scale events in theatres," he said. Sunnybrook is also helping people who contact them about fundraising how to organize events, said hospital spokesman Craig DuHamel. 20, after which the band will decide whether the money will be directed only to research for glioblastoma or for all types of brain cancer. The Sunnybrook Foundation, which is collecting donations for the Gord Downie Fund, won't tally how much has been raised until the tour's completion Aug. "I'm really thankful to all of the folks from all of the cities on the tour so far that have held fundraising events outside the venues – you know, house parties, all kinds of things have been going on," said Perry, likening the response to 2014's "Ice Bucket Challenge" in aid of ALS research. As such, raising funds for research into these and other brain tumours can be challenging compared to more common cancers.īut Downie's decision to go public with his diagnosis and the Tragically Hip's subsequent launch of its tour has brought brain cancer into the limelight and set the stage for an outpouring of badly needed donations. Still, there's no getting around the fact that glioblastomas, which affect an estimated four to six in every 100,000 Canadians, are notoriously difficult to treat and have a grim prognosis. "His last MRI (in late May) was fantastic from my point of view, and we'll get together after the Kingston show, after he's had a chance to rest a little bit, and we'll sit down and see where we're going from there." Perry won't say much about his patient's current health status, except that Downie is not currently receiving any treatment.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |