Running for tomorrow; raising brain tumor awareness
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – May marks brain tumor awareness month as one Sioux Falls nurse is sharing her cancer journey in hopes of raising more awareness.
Doctors diagnosed Sara Beck with a grade four brain tumor in April 2024. Now, following brain surgery and months of treatment, Beck is back to work at Sanford Children's Hospital, where she says her life the past year has helped her connect better with patients.
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'I feel like I can empathize with families a little bit more with things that they're going through because I've kind of been down that same road,' Beck said.
During surgery, doctors were able to remove over 90% of the brain tumor.
'She's done very well, had a very good surgery. So that's from a prognosis standpoint, one of the key parts of it. And it's good quality of life too. And where the tumor is at, and how good of a surgery you have is often the big implications for their quality of life,' Sanford Health medical oncologist, Dr. Travis Snyders said.
Beck says running has been a major outlet while undergoing treatment, taking part in the Sioux Falls half marathon and other local races since her diagnosis. One race even took her across the country.
'I joined the Grey Nation Endurance team for brain tumor awareness and was able to do some fundraising and do a Disney Half-Marathon. So that was pretty cool,' Beck said.
Beck says she's looking forward to more races as she finishes up her last rounds of treatment.'Sara was fortunate in that she had a good resection, and the part of the brain where it was at was not as much of an impact on her motor and function day to day,' Synders said.
She plans to continue running and raising awareness for brain cancer.
'Just makes me feel alive, so that's important. And just a great way to start the day,' Beck said.
Next week, Beck plans to run another half-marathon in Deadwood. She also plans to run the Sioux Falls half marathon in September.
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