Another trip around the sun. But no, not for my birthday.

I view my life in two segments – pre-brain tumor and post-brain tumor and today marks sixteen years since that fateful day…

The date was July 2, 2008 and the day before, my ophthalmologist called my family and I into the office and he shared the devastating news with us. I was immediately sent to Yale where my neurosurgeon and his team were awaiting my arrival. The events were a whirlwind of emotions for us and the team did not pull any punches. My situation was dire and the tumor had to come out immediately. The emotions continued throughout the evening, as I was later greeted in my room by a priest and a nun and instantly, I took pause of my life and immediately went into fight mode, for I had no other option.

Fast forwarding to the present day, I am healthy and well. My annual MRIs continue to show no evidence of disease. My shunt continues to operate as intended and the seizures have remained at bay. To say I am grateful and blessed is an understatement, but it is with thanks to all of my family, friends and this amazing community.

Earlier this year, I was interviewed by Smilow Cancer Hospital for a featured piece on my journey and my current work with the CT Brain Tumor Alliance (the story is accessible through the link below). Over the years, the CTBTA has granted out over $1.8 million to advance research, advance awareness and support patients and families, among other things. Sadly however, in the sixteen years that have passed, very little has changed. The standard of care has remained stagnant and the prognosis has remained the same for brain tumor and brain cancer patients despite the vast advances for other forms of cancers.

At this very moment in 2008, I was in the operating room and woke up a shell of myself. Today, after having regained all of my cognitive functions, I am using my voice to help others through their journey, but we need additional help and my ask if you is this – to please consider donating, sponsoring or simply joining us for Brainstormin’ so that we can continue to move the needle and raise funding for brain tumor research and treatments. There are over 1 million Americans living with a brain tumor and an additional 94,000 will be diagnosed this year, but it doesn’t need to continue to be this way.

This diagnosis changed my entire outlook on life and has humbled me, and as I’ve said before, I would not wish this upon my own worst enemy. But yet, its lesson is simple – stand your ground and don’t back down. And don’t forget the little things, to enjoy life, do something nice for a friend, coworker or a stranger and hug your loved ones and let them know how you feel about them.

Chris Celebrates his 40th Birthday