Help Neil Fight Brain Cancer

Last August my brother, Neil Wagner, was diagnosed with an aggressive Glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumor. Three days later, he was awake on the operating table as surgeons carefully removed most of the tumor. Only a few weeks earlier, Neil (a lifelong runner) was living his normal life, and looking forward to joining his wife of over 35 years in taking their son and daughter to school for another year of college.

But instead, the family was told the heartbreaking news that GBM patients typically have a life expectancy of less than two years. Additionally, Neil would learn that his chemotherapy regimen would leave him unable to earn an income from the point of his surgery in 2022, and likely beyond the end of 2023.

Yet despite all the distressing challenges, the whole family — and most importantly, Neil — remains hopeful, and determined to be among the GBM success stories where ten-year survivors live a productive life for years to come. His tumor is shrinking; the cognitive effects of "chemo brain" are decreasing; Neil's ongoing labs typically are stellar not just for a cancer patient, but for anyone; and a recent FDA-approved treatment (Optune) not only shows great promise in reducing cancer cells, it additionally causes no pain or discomfort.

But more than even the excellent medical care that Neil has been receiving, he knows that the unwavering support of his friends and family and, most of all, his wife Jen, are the most important reasons for his ongoing progress. I look forward to running in the 2024 Shamrock Shuffle race with my brother next year, continuing a meaningful tradition that he and I began 18 years ago.

Why We Need To Raise Funds

The healthcare needs of someone with GBM are dramatic, all-encompassing, and ongoing. Additionally, Neil's inability to earn income, and Jen's devotion to her husband's ongoing care, is dramatically draining our family's financial resources.

We are raising funds to cover the many expenses that Neil's family is dealing with, as they seek to regain his health and ability to again financially provide for his family. We also are asking for as many prayers as we can get.

Thank you,

Ken Wagner