2021 Event
On Saturday, September 11, Humor to Fight the Tumor Foundation held its 18th annual gala. 400 people attended and $350,000 was raised in net proceeds for brain tumor research and patient services. To date, Humor to Fight the Tumor Foundation has raised over $5.7 million dollars. The gala featured remarks from event founder Joelle Syverson and Dr. Michael Ruff from Mayo Clinic. Parts of the evening included live and silent auctions, and comedy by Derek Hughes, as well as a video showing stories of hope and determination provided by our four honorees: Alivia Nordeen, Kraig McKown, Courtney Burnet, MD and Jennifer Fernjack.
Watch the 18th Annual Gala Honoree Video
Honorees
Courtney Burnett
Dr. Courtney Burnett, MD graduated from
Northwestern University’s School of Medicine
in 2017 and completed her internal medicine
residency at the University of Minnesota in
2020. She was diagnosed with anaplastic
astrocytoma in February 2020. Since her
diagnosis, Courtney has continued to work
full-time as a physician and medical educator.
She is actively involved in brain cancer advocacy, speaking, and
outreach.
Jennifer Fernjack
In 2016 I received the surprising diagnosis
of a meningioma brain tumor, the same
type of tumor that my aunt had surgery for
the year before. Mine was the size of a golf
ball and due to its ominous location in the
cavernous sinus, half of it was removed,
while the remaining half received radiation.
(The tumor is benign, but radiation was used with the hope of killing
the remaining cells.) I’m incredibly grateful for the care that I received
at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. I’m also grateful for the funding
of research, so tumors can be detected earlier and possibly even
prevented.
Kraig McKown
Kraig was a humble, hardworking, and
thoughtful man of faith. On September 1,
2018, he was riding his bike and suffered
his first grand mal seizure. It would take six
weeks before they could diagnosis his brain
cancer, anaplastic astrocytoma. Through his
craniotomies, awake brain surgery, chemo,
radiation, Optune therapy, and never-ending
seizures, he never complained. God walked beside us every step of
this difficult journey and we saw His immense love through countless
friends, family, and strangers.
Alivia Nordeen
In November 2013, at 5 years old, Alivia
was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and
an Anaplastic Ependymoma. After surgery,
she developed posterior fossa syndrome.
She would need to relearn everything
from swallowing, holding her head up and
talking, to sitting and eventually walking.
Alivia persevered, and has been determined
to work through the tough road ahead of her. After multiple tumor
recurrences, radiation, and chemo. Her laughter and light-heartedness
have allowed her to find joy as she continues her battles.
Photos
Honoree Courtney Burnett and Family
Honoree Jennifer Fernjack and Family
Honoree Kraig McKown Family
Honoree Alivia Nordeen and Family
