Help our friend, Mike Freeman, with his fight against brain cancer!! On the 26th of May 2008 our good friend Mike Freeman was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme brain tumor, also known as GBM. His friends, along with the Denver Music community, have pulled together to help him in his fight. We also donate money and support foundations conducting cancer and medical research and have benefits throughout the year to raise money for these foundations in hopes of getting closer to finding a cure for cancer.
GBM is the most common and aggressive form of brain tumor. It is unknown what causes this tumor; unlike some brain tumors that spread from other cancer cells in the body, it starts in the brain. The treatment in Mike’s case was the initial biopsy surgery to determine what sort of tumor Mike had. After his biopsy, Mike got a second opinion from another neurosurgeon, who said that the risks of the surgery outweighed the benefits. So early after diagnosis, the risk of Mike not walking again or not waking up was too great. Mike is currently undergoing radiotherapy and three types of chemotherapy (including some more experimental treatments considered biotherapy). There is a possibility that Mike will be able to receive Gamma Knife if the initial treatments are beneficial in shrinking the tumor.
The tumor, therapy, and medications can be very taxing on the body and mind, but Mike has stayed positive and strong throughout. Seeing things for how they are and taking them head on has always been one of Mike’s strong traits. Mike’s great attitude has been prevalent through this whole process, an attribute most of us have benefited from at some time or another. On a recent visit to Mike he was still throwing out witty one-liners and enjoying having friends around him. Mike’s fight is not an easy one to take on, but because Mike believes in himself, so does everyone around him. When you believe, as Mike does, you will always prevail in the end.
There has been a great response from people everywhere, and with your help we can make it even better for Mike. Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers, and donations because they are helping greatly. If we all have a positive mantra for Mike, it can only improve his situation even more. Mike is already looking past this to the time he will be on the stage rocking again. “Mike will rock again!” is my mantra. What’s yours?
On Behalf of the Mike Support Foundation and members of the Denver music community, we thank you for your help and generousity.