School Community Joins Brain Tumor Walk to Raise Money for Research
Northridge, CA (PRWEB) October 29, 2013 -- On Saturday, October 19, 2013, Highland Hall Waldorf School students, faculty and parents joined "Team Isabel" in the Brain Tumor Walk at Exposition Park to support Isabel Neidorf, a ninth grade student at the school with a rare inoperable brain tumor. Many Highland Hall high school students were among the group of fifty that helped raise a portion of the $140,000 in new research funding.
"It was inspiring to see so many of our students showing up to support Isabel and the Brain Tumor Walk by volunteering at the event and walking," says Bari Borsky, Highland Hall's Director of Community Development.
Isabel Neidorf was diagnosed with Oligodendroglioma, or "Oligo," early in life. It a rare pediatric tumor with an undetermined cause. Many patients are first diagnosed due to the onset of seizures. The tumor and accompanying seizures can cause symptoms such as motor weakness or cognitive decline.
"We are so appreciative of the love and support we have received," says Isabel's mother, Rebecca Neidorf. "The Highland Hall community together with friends, family and event sponsors, raised a lot of badly needed funding for this research. As a family, we are dedicated to ensuring that these additional funds work to find a cure for this disease. And it's not just for Isabel, but for other families in our community who are also fighting for their lives!"
Additional donations are still being accepted and may be made to http://www.braintumorcommunity.org under Team Isabel.
Highland Hall Waldorf School, located in Northridge, CA, was founded in 1955. It is the oldest Waldorf school on the west coast. As an independent school Highland Hall provides Waldorf® Education from Pre-school through High School to families throughout the San Fernando Valley and the greater Los Angeles area. Its unique approach to learning successfully addresses the changing needs and capacities of children at each stage of development. Fully 98% of its high school graduates move on to renowned colleges and universities; 42% of Waldorf graduates pursue college majors in mathematics or science. Featuring a curriculum of academically challenging lessons infused with arts and hands-on learning, Highland Hall provides students with a solid academic foundation, the ability to think creatively, a sympathetic interest in the world, self-confidence, and an abiding moral purpose. Highland Hall, a non-profit school, does not discriminate due to race, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or other basis protected by law.
The National Brain Tumor Foundation was founded in 1981 by a small group of San Francisco-based healthcare providers and laypeople whose lives had been affected by brain tumors. The Foundation’s mission was to provide comprehensive resources and support services for the brain tumor community. During its 30-year tenure, the group established a number of pivotal programs for the community, including the first national conference for people with the disease, a national volunteer support network, and the only searchable database of brain tumor treatments centers in the United States.
The Brain Tumor Society (BTS) – was founded in Boston in 1989. Bonnie Feldman established the group after the loss of her 17-year-old son, Seth, to a brain tumor. After its formation, BTS played an instrumental role in raising funds to invest in brain tumor research. The Society funded pioneering research during its 20 years, including more than 90 scientists dubbed a “who’s who” of brain tumor experts.
In 2008, the leadership of the National Brain Tumor Foundation and the Brain Tumor Society decided to strengthen their collective efforts by uniting to form the National Brain Tumor Society. In March 2010, NBTS grew even more by joining forces with the Kelly Heinz-Grundner Foundation (KHG) – a Delaware-based group dedicated to raising awareness about brain tumors. KHG was founded in 2004 as a tribute to Kelly, who died in September, 2004, after a two-year battle with a brain tumor.
On October 19, 2013 the Los Angeles Brain Tumor Walk was held at Exposition Park.
Rebecca Varon, Highland Hall Waldorf School, http://www.highlandhall.org, 818-349-1394 Ext: x233, [email protected]
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