Diagnosed with a brain tumour at two months of age when a lump appeared on his head’s soft spot, Konnor Sharkey, 6, has consistently received the support of his extended family.
This backing was apparent during Saturday’s Brain Tumour Walk at Bell Park, at which several people, including an aunt, cousins, grandparents, parents and siblings sported “Konnor’s Krew” shirts.
During the walk, his mother, Jennifer, said the “krew” was still raising money, but were most eager to raise public awareness.
“They’re not always easy to diagnose and spot,” she said of brain tumours, noting that Konnor’s was easy but this isn’t necessarily always the case. “If you feel off, it can be anything, from being nauseated all the time or feeling tired all the time, so get checked if something’s wrong.”
Angela Gervais’ brain cancer diagnosis came in 2021 after migraines and neurological symptoms spurred testing.
Doctors were able to remove some of her tumour, but were unable to get all of it.
“I’m pretty much living with it,” she said, adding that she has had migraines since high school and is now curious as to how much earlier it might have been caught.
“If you have neurological symptoms, if you’re having migraines or anything to do with the head, really, even nausea that won't go away, go to the doctor and get tested,” she said.
Gervais was surrounded by family during Saturday’s walk, who were there to support her and two other family members to experience brain tumours.
This is the first in-person Brain Tumour Walk in Greater Sudbury since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, with last year’s event cancelled due to poor air quality caused by wildfires.
Money raised during Saturday’s walk goes toward the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, which is billed as “the only national charity in Canada offering information and support to patients affected by any type of brain tumour; cancerous, non-malignant or metastases.”
The organization has been funding research since 1982 to give hope for the daily average of 27 Canadians who are told they have a brain tumour.
Update: After this story was initially published, a representative from the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada reached out to clarify that this year's event in Sudbury was a community led, unofficial effort, unlike previous years.
Tyler Clarke covers city hall and political affairs for Sudbury.com.
