UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center Magazine E-Edition 2014 | Page 7
Mary-Margaret Brown
YOUNG SUPPORTERS BOARD PROFILE
Mary-Margaret Brown is a native of Mobile, but now calls Birmingham
home with her husband of seven years, Austin, their son Slaton, 4, and
daughter Mary Austin, almost 2. This young family was introduced to
cancer in July 2012 when Mr. Brown was diagnosed with a low-grade
astrocytoma, a tumor located in the left occipital lobe of his brain.
Since then, Mrs. Brown has become extremely active in
How has your involve-
the cause, joining the Young Supporters Board of the UAB
ment with the Cancer
only serves as vice president of the board, but she also, with
Research saves lives, and
establish the Neuro-Oncology Research Acceleration Fund,
lives. I know there are new
Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2012. Mrs. Brown not
Center inspired you?
the help of her in-laws, Janie and David Brown, has helped
the Cancer Center is saving
which has raised nearly $800,000 for brain tumor research
and related initiatives at the Cancer Center.
Can you tell us about your husband’s initial diagnosis?
Austin woke up one morning with a severe headache
and blurred vision, and that afternoon the tumor was
discovered during an MRI and CT scan. Oddly enough,
his symptoms were caused by a migraine, not the tumor.
treatments and cures being
developed at UAB, but scientists
need our help. I have met with these
scientists, and I have seen their passion
and heard their frustrations. Brain cancer receives less
than 1 percent of the national funding given toward cancer
research. That has to change.
We were advised to see a neuro-surgeon quickly, and we
What progress have you seen with the Neuro-Oncology
discovered at that time as malignant gliomas can be very
received has surpassed anything I ever imagined. My main
wanted to go to UAB. It is such a blessing the tumor was
Research Acceleration Fund? The support this fund has
aggressive and difficult to treat.
objectives are to spread awareness of brain cancer in our
What has his treatment been like? Austin went through
six weeks of radiation and a year of chemotherapy. We first
assumed the goal of treatment was to eliminate the tumor.
Unfortunately with brain cancer, the hope is that treatment will slow or stop growth, as there is no cure. The
treatments were successful for Austin as his tumor has not
grown or progressed, but we do not know how long the
effects will last.
What was the next move for you? When Austin was
diagnosed, we were told our hope was to manage it, which
gave me such a helpless feeling. My way to cope was to
serve others, which is why I got involved with the Young
Supporters Board. It has been a privilege to work with
others who are also passionate about the cause to promote
the Cancer Center, serve patients and their families, and
eliminate cancer.
community and to raise funds for specific research projects that will be overseen by Dr. Burt Nabors (Austin’s
neuro-oncologist). I have been told many times that brain
cancer is a disease with no winners, and I want to moti-
vate others to help change this. My husband and so many
others need a cure, and this fund will bring hope to those
fighting this disease.
What has motivated your husband during his treatment?
The doctors and research at UAB have been a big motivational factor for Austin. Knowing that he is receiving care
at one of the top neuro-oncology programs in the country is
very inspiring. Every doctor on his team is incredible, and
we have so much confidence in them. Our children have
also motivated him. They bring a new and joyful perspective, which was needed during difficult times. My hus-
“I have been told
many times that
brain cancer is a
disease with no
winners, and I
want to motivate
others to
become involved
in an effort to
change this.”
band’s life, and our family’s life, is not defined by cancer.
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