The North Side Inside and Out

Posted May 4, 2012 - 1:23pm by Jenise Celestin

Tommy's Tumor

It's easy to take the good things in life for granted. Your family, your friends, your career, your health. Sure, I reflect from time to time, but I hardly ever think about how lucky I am to have my health. Last year, I reconnected with an old high school friend. Same Tommy - funny, charming, kind, handsome. Except for nearly five years he's been fighting a brain tumor.

It's certainly true that illness doesn't discriminate - it doesn't matter how nice or popular or smart you are. It can happen to anyone. Over the past five years, while I was growing my career and my family, Tommy was enduring brain surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, physical/speech/occupational therapy, a blood transfusion, steroids, weight gain and loss, shingles, bedsores and financial ruin. These are not things a guy in his early 30s should be dealing with, and it makes me very sad.

I am motivated, however, by Tommy's grace and determination to overcome what life has thrown at him. Each year, Tommy helps to raise awareness about this disease by assembling his huge team "Tommy's Tumor" for the American Brain Tumor Association's 5K Walk/Run in Chicago.

I'm so proud to say that I'm supporting Tommy and the cause by walking next weekend for the Breakthrough for Brain Tumors 5K event at Montrose Harbor - and I hope that you'll join me. If you cannot, consider donating to this important cause. We have a lot to be thankful for.

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