One of our GNI (Good Neighbor Insurance) family members, Sandy and Richard have asked us to share with our guests, you all, of a great walk they are involved with. Below is information on how to be a part of this great cause. Thank you, Sandy and Richard, for your dedication in helping us Americans learn more about DIPG as well as help others who sadly have this typ of brainstem tumor!

From Your Friends at GNI,

Doug Gulleson

Phoenix Brain Tumor Walk
The National Brain Tumor Society
Steele Indian School Park – 300 East Indian School Road
Saturday March 15th
Check in is 8-9 AM
5K Walk starts at 9 AM

This Saturday, March 15th, Richard and I are taking part in the Phoenix Brain Tumor Walk sponsored by The National Brain Tumor Society to help raise funds for brain tumor research. We are doing this in memory of our son, Sam and also for the countless other people we have come to know and love who are dealing with this horrid disease!. We are excited to be walking again with Team Sam The Lion!

Our son, Sam Perkins, was 19 when he was diagnosed with a type of brainstem tumor known as DIPG. Despite a courageous battle he passed away 10 months later at the age of 20. Before his diagnosis Sam was a typical teenager, attending college, playing in a band, and enjoying time with friends and family. Sam’s greatest love was music. He adored being onstage and performing with the band. He was also known to be a video game enthusiast with a unique sense of humor. Nothing, however, compared with his heart-felt devotion to family and friends. Sam had the ability to touch the hearts of everyone he met and was an inspiration to many. He had a heart of gold and was a true and loyal friend. He was a wonderful and loving son and is greatly missed by his family and friends!
This is the third year for Team Sam The Lion to participate in the Brain Tumor Walk. The Walk is a fun and inspirational day where the brain tumor community unites to inspire hope and take action in the fight against brain tumors.
If you would like to donate to Team Sam The Lion please click on the link below. You can click on “donate now” to donate to the team in general or click on my name then donate to the team in on my behalf. Even if you are not donating please click on the link for a great picture of Sam! It is one of my favorites! 

http://www.braintumorcommunity.org/site/TR/TeamraiserEvents/PhoenixBrainTumorWalk?team_id=67702&pg=team&fr_id=2210

The National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) is aggressively driving strategic research that will lead to therapies for adult and pediatric brain tumors. On a national level, NBTS advocates for public policy that meets the critical needs of the brain tumor community and also provides comprehensive information and resources. On a personal level we are excited that NBTS has committed to spending 30% of their research dollars on pediatric brain tumor research!

Feel free to share this with others and thanks for considering being a part of “Team Sam”.