This story was written by co-workers of Nicki in Ottawa. Nicki has a brain tumour and her colleagues are rallying together to support her and Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada at this weekend’s Spring Sprint in Ottawa.

Ben, one of the Ottawa Spring Sprint Coordinators in 2011

She’s 28. She’s married. She has a little boy who is almost 2. She had a headache. She was dizzy. Her doctor said it was the flu and gave her an antibiotic. The dizziness never left and only got worse. She had difficulties walking. After much deliberation and several trips to her doctor, she finally went to emergency. She was told she had a brain tumour. She’s 28. She’s married. She has a little boy who is almost 2. She has a MILLION things to live for. Her name is Nicki and she sits beside me at work.

As many of you know, our friend and colleague has a brain tumour. She has had surgery and they were able to remove some of it. She will have to undergo radiation to shrink what is left and then they will hopefully be able to remove the rest in a subsequent surgery. Recently she had a shunt put in to help the fluids in her brain drain properly.

I can’t say that I thought much about brain tumours until this happened. After I started talking about it though, I have found that a friend’s sister in law had one removed last year (they got it all) and she is doing well, another friend, her sister is not doing as well. She is in my thoughts and prayers.

Walkers & Runners at Ottawa Spring Sprint 2011

So I started looking on the internet. And found Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. Then I saw that they have a fun run fundraiser and thought – “what a great idea!” And here we are. Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada has a great website and they offer up a ton of information. One of the founders, Steve Northey, lost his 8 year old daughter in 1981 to the disease.

When she was diagnosed, he could only find US based information. When his daughter passed away, he didn’t want her death to be in vain. Together with a neurosurgeon and brain tumour researcher and his wife, a neuroscience nurse, they founded Brain Research Fund (the Foundation’s original name). It was the Brain Research Fund’s goal to find a cure for brain tumours and to provide educational information so that people could find solace and assistance in making decisions to cope with the diagnosis of a brain tumour. 2012, celebrates 30 years of this trio’s outstanding work and commitment to finding a cure.

As a parent to a beautiful little girl, I cannot imagine what Nicki is going through. I cannot imagine what Steve Northey went through 30 years ago. What I do hope for is that Nicki’s doctors are able to give her a full recovery. What I hope for is a cure.

So, we invite you to take part in our team Nicki Moves Mountains. For those of you that know Nicki, you know that she would move mountains for her family and friends. On Sunday June 3rd at 9 am (run/ walk is at 10 am) join us (and many others) moving for Nicki at Andrew Hayden Park Gazebo (Carling at Holly Acres Road). If you are unable to join our team, but would still like to sponsor us that would be great and very much appreciated.

She’s 28. She’s married. She has a little boy who is almost 2. She has a MILLION things to live for. Her name is Nicki and she sits beside me at work.

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Thank you for your support of Spring Sprint and for sharing your story of support. Together, we can Imagine a Cure.