12-Year Old Nashville area Brain Tumor Survivor helps raise awareness for Brain Tumors

CLEARWATER, FL, June 08, 2012

12-year old Nashville area resident Bishop Mikealian has been named Event Ambassador for the 2nd Annual Moving Towards a Cure 5K Brain Tumor Awareness Run/Walk on Saturday, July 7th, 2012 at Shelby Bottoms Park. This event is being sponsored in part by Saint Thomas Hospital, Tennessee Oncology, and Academy Sports & Outdoors. Proceeds from this event are used to raise awareness and funding for brain tumor research and clinical trials, and for medically needy travel assistance for brain tumor patients.

Bishop was first diagnosed in March 2009 after she fell and hit her head at school which led to a CT scan that revealed a tumor. A follow up MRI was performed and Bishop was diagnosed with a ganglioglioma on the brain stem. Though her tumor was deemed to be inoperable, Bishop has undergone an aggressive treatment plan that included a spinal tap, surgical biopsy, 30 doses of radiation and 15 months of chemotherapy. Her tumor has not shrunk, but it has remained stable. Bishop's battle with brain tumors has been challenging, yet she remains hopeful and determined to help raise awareness for brain tumors. Miles for Hope chose Bishop as the Event Ambassador to honor her for her strength, endurance, and determination in her efforts in the fight against this disease.

Bishop's story is one of survival and gives hope to other brain tumor survivors. Unfortunately that is not always the case and there is a critical need for brain tumor research because Brain Tumors affect over 200,000 people each year; one person every three minutes in the United States. They are also the leading cause of solid tumor cancer deaths in children and young adults under the age of 20.

Miles For Hope co-Founder Robert Gibbs was also a brain tumor patient though he lost his own battle with brain cancer in December 2011 after seven years. Vice-President Debbie Turner stated: "Countless people in the U.S. have lost their battle against this disease, and hundreds of thousands more are still fighting. Now more than ever, we are dedicated to raising awareness and funding through our Moving Towards a Cure events, for desperately needed brain tumor research so that other people and their families do not have to continue to suffer from this devastating disease."

The event will be held on Saturday, July 7th, 2012 at 9 am at Shelby Bottoms, Riverview Shelter, located at 451 S 20th St, Nashville, TN 37206. Same-day registration opens at 8 am, event begins at 9 am. Registration for adults is $20. After June 23rd, 2012, fee goes up $5. Registration free for children under 6 years. Online registration is encouraged at http://www.BrainTumorEvents.org/Nashville2012. Over 500 participants are expected to attend this event. The 5K event is open to all ages and is seeking participants, teams, volunteers, vendors, and sponsors. Awards ceremony and post-event celebration follow the race. For more information, please visit http://www.BrainTumorEvents.org/Nashville2012, http://www.MilesForHope.org or call 727-781-HOPE (4673).

Miles for Hope, Inc. is a 501 (3) non-profit organization dedicated to funding cutting-edge Brain Tumor research, raising awareness, and providing medically necessary travel assistance to Brain Tumor patients.

Miles for Hope was established by Bob & Barb Gibbs to raise funds for promising brain tumor clinical trials and research. We are dedicated to raising funds to improve current treatments for brain tumors, and to assist brain tumor patients with travel expenses for their treatment.

Our goal at Miles for Hope is to provide a complete source for cutting edge treatment and support for both the patient and care givers. There are many wonderful sources of information on the internet for brain tumors, and our goal is to compile these resources at one location. Here you will find a large support forum full of information, the most current clinical trial information, breaking news regarding brain tumors, and other support and awareness tools for your use in combating and fighting brain tumors.