Connecting For a Cause

Early Saturday morning, I drove up to Milwaukee for the annual Strain for the Brain 5K. My husband Mark and I joined roughly 30 other people to run with Mr. G’s Team, which was formed in honor of Mark’s brother Rob, who we lost last July to melanoma of the brain. Seeing family, friends and neighbors gathered together made it clear how loved Rob was, and it reminded us how much we miss him.

As we lined up near the start by the lakefront, I noticed a smattering of people wearing yellow Strain for the Brain t-shirts, indicating these were survivors. When the race started, the crowd spread out along the path, some running, many walking, some a mix of both, all moving for the same reason: to support research for brain tumors and brain disease.

With Melanoma Awareness Month wrapping up today, the run felt exceptionally meaningful as we lost both Rob and my close friend Tracy to this terrible disease within the past year. It felt productive to do something that continues the fight against melanoma and funds additional brain tumor research. This was the 16^th running of Strain for the Brain, and participation has grown so much that last year the race had to relocate to a new spot in Milwaukee’s Veterans Park, with a beautiful lakefront path.

About halfway through the race, I noticed a young man dribbling two basketballs as he ran along the race path.  I was impressed how he managed to not break his stride as he wove between me and other slower runners. When I learned afterwards that this young man was Tristan Jass, a basketball player known for his trick shots on YouTube and a brain tumor survivor, I was inspired.

Jass’ tumor was removed six months ago, and his decision to run and raise funds for brain health today was in character for the 26-year-old who this time last year won $100,000 in a trick shot challenge against Milwaukee Bucks legend Giannis Antetokounmpo, donating all of it to charity and fans. “After winning the hundred thousand, we kind of decided we’re going to give this all away—I want to actually give $10,000 of that to the Shalom Center,” Jass, a native of Kenosha, Wisconsin, told the local organization that provides aid to the homeless, food insecure, and other vulnerable residents in that area.

After the members of Mr. G’s Team crossed the finish line and regrouped with the team, we gathered for the featured photo above, proud of what we did together. Together we honored Rob, raised more money for research, and supported families struggling with this brutal disease.