Gary's Ride, a non profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to raising funds and in hope to fight glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive malignant form of brain tumor. Our goal this year is to raise $20,000 for MercyOne Richard Deming Cancer Center to be used for: securing clinical trials for future treatments, Gary's Adventures Sponsorship providing a terminal brain cancer patient their dreamed of adventure, supportive services such as massage therapy/acupuncture/music and art therapy, brain cancer rehab services such as speech therapy/OT/PT, Compassion Fund for other financial needs of patients and their families not covered by insurance.
I have first hand experience of the challenges and difficulties that patients and their families face when diagnosed with a terminal Brain Cancer. My husband Gary was diagnosed in 2020 and passed from Glioblastoma within a 13 month time frame, May 17, 2021. Here are some statistics from the National Brain Tumor Society on Glioblastoma (2022: 1) More than 13,000 Americans were expected to receive a Glioblastoma diagnosis in 2022, 2) Glioblastoma accounts for 49.1 percent of all primary malignant brain tumors, 3) It is estimated that more than 10,000 individuals in the US will succumb to glioblastoma every year, 4) the five-year survival rate for glioblastoma patients is only 6.8 percent, 5) glioblastoma is also one of the more expensive cancers to treat, often leaving patients and families with major financial hardship on top of the burdens of the disease.
Place a star on your calendar for May 20, 2023 for Gary's Annual Brain Cancer Bike Ride. We'll have lots of fun awaiting for you. Look forward to seeing you at the ride. As my wonderful heavenly husband Gary Wiedenfeld would say, "bring it on"! Let's bring on a year of celebration, of renewed hope for research, treatment, and resources for terminal brain cancer patients. YOU are making a difference in their lives.
Grateful and humbled -
Kristin Wiedenfeld
Gary's Ride, Inc., President
and "Gary's other half"