Founded by Callae Brownstein in 2012, CBeyondcancer’s mission is to partner with and fund organizations that help families see beyond emotional and financial obstacles to focus on fighting cancer. Our ultimate goal is to help cancer patients and their families build their inner strength and fortitude during a time of tremendous adversity where they can focus on healing instead of other obstacles. CBeyondcancer does this by supporting organizations that fund emotional support services and provide direct financial assistance to patients and their families. Since its inception, CBeyondcancer has raised nearly $325,000 for families struggling with cancer.
Callae’s Story
A trip to the Emergency Room in October 2011 would change my life forever…
I was admitted to the ER after all my best girlfriends insisted I go. I woke up one morning with numbness down my body and slurred speech. After the insistence of my best friends, I went to the ER at Weil Cornell Medical Center/ New York Presbyterian and was admitted promptly. I was greeted by two precious physicians who had attended the University of Colorado located in the state in which I was born and lived for 18 years. They insisted that I go through a series of scans before they closed that evening.
The physicians returned to the room in the very early hours the next morning and informed me that I had a brain tumor. From that point on I was immediately surrounded by an unbelievable team of Family, Friends, Doctors and something larger than all of us.
Initial brain surgery identified the tumor as cancerous. After sending my films to major cancer centers around the country, I was given the diagnosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma(PCNS) of the brain. My first step was to see the pioneering physician for PCNS Lisa M. DeAngelis, MD at Memorial Hospital and Sloan Kettering Institute. Dr. DeAngelis is a neuro-oncologist and co-executive director of the Brain Tumor Center at Sloan Kettering with extensive experience in the care of patients with brain tumors and the neurologic complications of cancer. The Brain Tumor Center is a virtual interdepartmental center that spans to support research in brain tumors and promote its translation into clinical trials.
I began a successful course of chemotherapy immediately followed by a Stem Cell Transplant under the care of Craig S. Sauter, MD also at Memorial Sloan Kettering. He was just one of many on my multidisciplinary team of transplantation specialists. During the treatments I also utilized alternative therapies such as Reiki, EFT, physical therapy and affirmations.
I have been cured for three beautiful years. In life I don’t think anything is an accident. I have always been passionate about helping others that don’t have the same opportunities that I have had and I have always wanted to start my own foundation! After I was cured it has been a gift to reach out and help those families and children suffering with cancer directly so there may be a little less worry and stress enabling them to focus on the finish line, and ”Cbeyondcancer” like I did!
Thank you to all the amazing physicians, family, friends and all things larger than us that helped make sure I am here today doing what I can to help others.