A Mother’s Day Salute to a Pair of Brain Tumor Survivors

New York, NY, May 13, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Tina Lavelle knows that each Mother’s Day is incredibly special. In her own words, “Mother’s Day means Sunday brunches, flowers, cards and presents. But for me, it’s much more. After being diagnosed with a brain tumor, my perspective on life and what it means changed drastically. Five weeks after my brain surgery, my beautiful 10-year-old daughter Lea was diagnosed with a brain tumor as well.

"Throughout her treatment, I watched in amazement at her strength and determination. She was getting sicker and sicker, but I saw something in her that gave me the strength to go on. I saw her believe in the words I told her, 'It’s going to be okay, you’re not alone and I won’t leave you no matter what.'

"When a mother and child have this in common it brings such strength to the relationship. Being a mom to a brain tumor survivor is one of the best gifts this mother can get for Mother’s Day because she is my lesson in strength. Happy Mother’s Day to my daughter Lea and to all of the survivors who teach their moms how to persevere; you are the greatest gifts we can ever ask for!"

Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation provides help and hope for the whole journey to mothers like Tina and daughters like Lea. Working nationwide, it provides psychosocial support, connections to other families, information, and resources to many of the 4150 children newly diagnosed in the United States with a brain tumor each year, their families, and the 25,000 brain tumor survivors. One-third of pediatric brain tumor patients die within five years and most survivors face life-long effects from surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. CBTF is here on Mother's Day and every day to help pediatric brain tumor patients, families, and survivors.