Nearly 80-thousand people are diagnosed with brain tumors every year. About a-third of them are cancerous. Officials with the National Brain Tumor Society predict 17,000 people will lose their battle with a malignant brain tumor this year.
That's why they're hosing a special fundraising event this Saturday to raise money for programs aimed at improving the lives of those affected by brain tumors.
“Over 100 people are going to be plunging into Lake Natoma,” says Courtney Gessford. “And it is supported to be cold, and it is supposed to be potentially raining.”
That's no big deal for the 27-year-old Gessford. She’s undergone three surgeries since being diagnosed with brain cancer three years ago.
“The underlying message is to pay respects and honor the people that are fighting this battle,” says Gessford. “Regardless of where they stand right now.”
For Gessford, that's a place of continued treatments, recovery... and most importantly hope.
“I’m not done with my life,” she says, firmly. “There’s so many other things that I want to do. I’m an event planner for a living and I have a life plan. I don’t know how that plan’s going to go, but I know that there’s certain things on the list that I haven’t done yet and I need to check those off.”
Next on the list: Jumping into Lake Natoma during the First Annual Sacramento Brain Freeze Saturday morning to raise money for the National Brain Tumor Society.
They're hoping to raise a total of 50-thousand dollars from the event and they're within eight-thousand dollars of that goal. You can donate here.