Bowl For The Bull - Brain Cancer
Donation protected
(Scroll down for Event & Donation Info)
May 23 2014 - Our uncle, John Christou, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme; an extremely aggressive cancerous brain tumor.
June 27, 2014 - Our amazing uncle passed away from the disease.
To his nieces and nephews, we knew him as Theo Yianni and Uncle Buck. Friends and Family knew him as John, Johnny, Yianni, Bobby, Bobby Sklafey, The Liquidator, The Angry Chef...but most knew him as Johnny "The Bull" Christou. He LOVED life and lived it to the fullest. There was never a dull moment and he was always the life of the party (he was very very loud!). He would make up catchy words and phrases (Jam Up Jelly Tight, In The House, Pinks Pinks, Lets Get Loose Like a Bucket of Juice, Bobby Style) that would stick for years to come and be blurted out at any given moment. He was known for his cookouts where every dish he made was as though you were sitting at a 5 star resturant. Just like he had nicknames, you most likely had a few yourself that he gave you. He was by far the most giving person. He lived a bachelor life, but everything he did was for everyone else.
One of his favorite hobbies was bowling, so instead of a walk/run (which if you knew him you'd know was not his style!), we want you to come celebrate him and honor his memory and BOWL FOR THE BULL!!!
He loved a good party...so let's throw him one!
_________________________
When Theo Yianni was diagnosed none of us truly understood the magnitude of this tumor. Even with the doctors explaining to us step-by-step what was inevitably going to happen, we completely underestimated the damage it would cause, what it was going to do to him and how quickly it was going to attack him.
We desperately scrambled for every bit of information and help we could find. We took him to the top surgeon in Atlanta where they removed 90% of his tumor. The remaining 10% was already at his brain stem, which could not be removed. The next step was rehab followed by radiation and chemotherapy. We gave this the biggest fight we had in us. We were going to beat cancer.
Despite everything, one week into rehab Theo Yianni quickly started declining. Instead of getting better, he was losing strength, had paralysis, severe headaches, couldn't see well, and eventually could not speak...all within a matter of a week. The plans for radiation and chemo were quickly pulled, as all it would do is prolong his current state, which held no quality of life. We had to grasp that there were no great options for him. Five days into hospice, this amazing and incredible man passed away.
___________________________
I feel if he had been diagnosed with a cancer that recieves more attention we could have been more prepared. Brain cancer was the last thing from our minds and we knew nothing about it. No where to turn but to search desperately on the internet for answers, support groups, clinical trials, survival stories, top doctors and cures.
As word spread of Theo Yianni's illness, friends mentioned that they too have been effected by his same cancer through family/friends. More people had been effected than we thought, and it was in fact THE MOST COMMON and most aggressive primary brain tumor.
We didnt understand how such a devistating cancer was so rarely talked about. Why do we not hear more about this? Why are the voices of patients, caregivers, family members and friends not loud enough? Why is there not more awareness pointed towards this terrible disease?
___________________________
In honor of May being Brain Cancer Awareness Month, we want to help celebrate our Theo Yianni's incredible life as well as honor others who have lost their battle or are currently fighting it.
Donations and ticket sales will go towards The American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) to help raise awareness, research, and help patients and families effected by brain tumors.
If you can't make it to the event, please consider making a donation. Any amount helps!
BOWLING REGISTRATION INFO (purchase below):
$50/person
$90/2 people
$240/6 people (private lane)
Additional donations can be added to your purchase
***TICKET PURCHASE ENDS MAY 26***
***Additional Donations will be accepted at event***
Checks payable to: BOWL FOR THE BULL
May 23 2014 - Our uncle, John Christou, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme; an extremely aggressive cancerous brain tumor.
June 27, 2014 - Our amazing uncle passed away from the disease.
To his nieces and nephews, we knew him as Theo Yianni and Uncle Buck. Friends and Family knew him as John, Johnny, Yianni, Bobby, Bobby Sklafey, The Liquidator, The Angry Chef...but most knew him as Johnny "The Bull" Christou. He LOVED life and lived it to the fullest. There was never a dull moment and he was always the life of the party (he was very very loud!). He would make up catchy words and phrases (Jam Up Jelly Tight, In The House, Pinks Pinks, Lets Get Loose Like a Bucket of Juice, Bobby Style) that would stick for years to come and be blurted out at any given moment. He was known for his cookouts where every dish he made was as though you were sitting at a 5 star resturant. Just like he had nicknames, you most likely had a few yourself that he gave you. He was by far the most giving person. He lived a bachelor life, but everything he did was for everyone else.
One of his favorite hobbies was bowling, so instead of a walk/run (which if you knew him you'd know was not his style!), we want you to come celebrate him and honor his memory and BOWL FOR THE BULL!!!
He loved a good party...so let's throw him one!
_________________________
When Theo Yianni was diagnosed none of us truly understood the magnitude of this tumor. Even with the doctors explaining to us step-by-step what was inevitably going to happen, we completely underestimated the damage it would cause, what it was going to do to him and how quickly it was going to attack him.
We desperately scrambled for every bit of information and help we could find. We took him to the top surgeon in Atlanta where they removed 90% of his tumor. The remaining 10% was already at his brain stem, which could not be removed. The next step was rehab followed by radiation and chemotherapy. We gave this the biggest fight we had in us. We were going to beat cancer.
Despite everything, one week into rehab Theo Yianni quickly started declining. Instead of getting better, he was losing strength, had paralysis, severe headaches, couldn't see well, and eventually could not speak...all within a matter of a week. The plans for radiation and chemo were quickly pulled, as all it would do is prolong his current state, which held no quality of life. We had to grasp that there were no great options for him. Five days into hospice, this amazing and incredible man passed away.
___________________________
I feel if he had been diagnosed with a cancer that recieves more attention we could have been more prepared. Brain cancer was the last thing from our minds and we knew nothing about it. No where to turn but to search desperately on the internet for answers, support groups, clinical trials, survival stories, top doctors and cures.
As word spread of Theo Yianni's illness, friends mentioned that they too have been effected by his same cancer through family/friends. More people had been effected than we thought, and it was in fact THE MOST COMMON and most aggressive primary brain tumor.
We didnt understand how such a devistating cancer was so rarely talked about. Why do we not hear more about this? Why are the voices of patients, caregivers, family members and friends not loud enough? Why is there not more awareness pointed towards this terrible disease?
___________________________
In honor of May being Brain Cancer Awareness Month, we want to help celebrate our Theo Yianni's incredible life as well as honor others who have lost their battle or are currently fighting it.
Donations and ticket sales will go towards The American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) to help raise awareness, research, and help patients and families effected by brain tumors.
If you can't make it to the event, please consider making a donation. Any amount helps!
BOWLING REGISTRATION INFO (purchase below):
$50/person
$90/2 people
$240/6 people (private lane)
Additional donations can be added to your purchase
***TICKET PURCHASE ENDS MAY 26***
***Additional Donations will be accepted at event***
Checks payable to: BOWL FOR THE BULL
Organizer
Lia Christou Beatty
Organizer
Atlanta, GA
