On January 12, 2025, my family and I faced a diagnosis that would change our lives forever. I suffered a seizure and my wife took me to the emergency room where doctors discovered a brain tumor. After several days, I was scheduled for a craniotomy, but my family along with some close friends pushed for a transfer to The James. At the James, the doctors confirmed I had a glioblastoma and determined that the original surgery plan could have led to serious complications. 

Dr. Elder performed my craniotomy on January 21, and the surgery was a success with minimal side effects. Thanks to incredible support from family, friends, and my medical team, I've continued treatment with radiation and chemotherapy. Every MRI since has shown no signs of tumor progression or recurrence. I remain deeply grateful to Dr. Elder, Dr. Hamid Mohtashami, APRN-CNP Sarah Pollard, and everyone at The James for the care that has given me the best possible outcome.

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive form of brain cancer and has an extremely high rate of recurrence. The average survival after diagnosis is approximately 15-18 months. There is currently no cure and the microscopic cancer cells that surround the brain tissue almost always have recurrence at some point. My goal of this fundraiser is to bring awareness to the disease and to raise as much money as possible for research and clinical trials. 

At The Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James), a multidisciplinary team of researchers are dedicated to developing and conducting leading-edge research that advances innovative breakthroughs and treatments for patients with central nervous system (CNS) malignancies.

These specialists, sub-specialists and super sub-specialists are leading research in high-tech, state-of-the-art laboratories not available anywhere else in central Ohio (and one of only a handful in the country), transforming the way CNS malignancies are detected, treated and managed.

Neuro-oncology physician researchers work closely with translational researchers and basic scientists who specialize in CNS malignancies to rapidly apply research results to patient care. The mission: to translate research findings quickly and effectively into treatments that will improve outcomes and quality of life for patients with CNS malignancies.

Not limited in scope, these physician-researchers have extensive experience investigating, understanding and treating primary brain tumors (those that begin in the brain), secondary brain tumors (those that spread from another part of the body to the brain) and neurological complications resulting from other cancers.

The OSUCCC – James supports a number of Phase I, II, and III clinical trials in Neuro-Oncology through the OSU Clinical Trials Office. Investigational treatment types currently under study for adult WHO Grade 4 Glioblastoma include dendritic cell immunotherapy (DOC1021), sonodynamic therapy (5-ALA & LIDU), SINE compounds (Selinexor), and multiple intratumoral therapies. These include dual-payload gene therapy (TGX-007) via intracranial cannulas, rhenium-186 nanoliposome infusion via intracranial cannulas, radium-224 alpha-emitting seeds implanted directly into enhancing disease, and anti-GARP CAR-T cell therapy (PIIO-1) delivered via Ommaya reservoir, all of which involve close collaboration with The James Neurosurgery team. Our center also supports trials for other types of glioma, including Triapine/Radiation for all grades of recurrent glioma and vorasidenib/temozolomide for Grade 3 newly diagnosed Astrocytoma. Investigational treatments for leptomeningeal disease under study include proton craniospinal radiotherapy and intrathecal rhenium-186 nanoliposome infusions.

Your support will help the researchers at the OSUCCC –  James continue this integral neuro-oncology research.