My mother, Sue Sykes, is a warrior. She's a fighter. She's loving, caring, compassionate -- everything I want to be. Everything I will strive to be. She was amazing.

 

In May of 2015 I got the job of a lifetime that brought me back home to Pittsburgh. I was thrilled to be closer to family and have my daughter grow up near her "Tutu." My mom had been acting a little different a couple weeks before I moved home -- forgetful, spacey, indifferent, "out of it." My family was worried. Her friends were worried. They convinced her to go to the emergency room. That's where they found it.

 

My mom had a goofball sized tumor on her brain. We didn't know at the time if it was malignant or not, but they gave us a preliminary finding which wasn't good. Still, we all remained optimistic and hoped for the best. A week later, we got the news. We were devastated.

 

The tumor taking over my mom's brain was a glioblastoma. Stage 4 brain cancer. It was in a location that couldn't be operated on so we had to rely on chemotherapy and radiation. Shock. Disbelief. Anger. Why is this happening to someone so pure? So giving. So loving.

 

My mom fought and fought and fought, but treatments were only making her more sick. We watched her slowly slip away - losing communication skills, mobility... It was heartbreaking. But through it all I saw a fighter. I saw someone who wouldn't let this horrible disease define them. I saw strength, courage and dignity. I saw my hero.

 

My mom passed on December 12 2015, hours after we had left her bedside. She was finally at peace.

 

This disease is so rare and little is known about it. There is no cure, but researchers have been making strides in developing forms of treatments that can extend a patients life. My mom couldn't be saved, but I'm hopeful someone else will.

 

Which brings me to this....

 

I am so excited to be participating in Pittsburgh's 6th Annual Walk/Run To End Brain Tumors. Money raised from this event will be donated locally for brain tumor research and clinical trials for patients that insurance does not cover. 
 

It would be an honor if you could sponsor me. It doesn't matter the amount - anything helps. This race isn't for me - it's for my mom. It's in her honor and memory. A woman who means the world to me that I miss terribly every day. I love you, mom. This ones for you.