We walk in honor of our parents, Mike and Ann Crossen, who have both had the unique challenge of fighting and surviving after the discovery of a brain tumor.
Our mom is a warrior who has fought and survived a benign meningioma brain tumor that was spread out like a butterfly across her frontal lobe. Ann first started experiencing vision problems in January 2019, and that led to the discovery of a brain tumor last September. The UC Health Neurology team quickly put a plan of action together to remove as much of the tumor as possible, while working to avoid the carotid artery and preserve Ann's vision, hearing, and life itself.
We are so grateful to Dr. Zuccarello and his team at UC Health, who offered our mom exceptional care and have given her the opportunity to enjoy her family and friends for many years to come. We are also grateful for the team at Cincinnati Eye Institute and their thorough care, which led to the initial discovery of the brain tumor.
The Crossen family was not expecting to battle a brain tumor together last autumn, but we had been on this road before and knew we would prevail once again. In an unusual twist of fate, our dad battled a benign hemangioma on his cerebellum just 20 years prior. Mike survived the brain tumor but had to overcome balance and coordination challenges in the months that followed.
We are so lucky that Dad has made a complete recovery and has enjoyed a new "lease on life" including many years of making special memories with the love of his life, Ann, and their three daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren. And Mike's balance issues led to an unexpected and budding small business of selling beautiful, hand-painted and carved walking sticks. Every Crossen family member has our own walking stick, and we will hit the pavement with them in this effort.
We are proud to support this cause and invite you to join us in the Walk Ahead for a Brain Tumor cure!
- The Crossen Crusaders