Action 3 News - Omaha, Nebraska News, Weather, and Sports | Family Takes Action to Find a Cure for Brain Cancer
Member Center:
Omaha, NE--It started with headaches that wouldn't go away and when doctors investigated, they found a tumor the size of an egg in Heather Roberts's head.
"My tumor was located on my right side on my motor tract line which is the only reason I was able to feel the headaches," recalls Roberts.
Two surgeries later, Heather is bald, with a form of the cancer that is aggressive, and is in a cycle of tests and chemotherapy. But she remains optimistic and humorous about her plight. "It's pretty embarassing that I'm bald on steroids and fat, but he [her boyfriend, Mike] still loves me, so we'll go with it."
"If you talk with her, you don't know she has this. Her attitude is I don't know if it could be any better, incredibly positive; she's still very funny. Physically, she might look different, but she's there," explains her mother, Sue Roberts.
Sue says in her search for any information about treatments, research and trials for brain cancer, she realized the great need for more funding. That's what prompted her to launch Leap for a Cure, a foundation dedicated to finding a cure for brain cancer. The frog mascot is symbolic because Heather's childhood nickname was Froggy.
"We've just sat at our kitchen table and created things and got ideas and brainstormed and had a lot of support," recalls Sue. Her friends and family have formed the backbone of the foundation, doing all the heavy lifting required.
So far, they've had great success. In the first six months, they raised $52,000. Just last month, the UNO Mavericks hockey team sported the frog on their jerseys and helped to raise even more--another $45,000!
The work helps the family stay focused on the positive. "We don't focus on the fact that it's stage three brain cancer. We focus on everything we try to do to bring awareness, and it's exciting to learn everything they're doing. It's hope," states Heather.
Hope and laughter feed their spirits and help the Roberts keep their eyes on the future and the big leaps still to be made.
Reported by Carol Wang, cwang@action3news.com
