Success Story

My name is Preston Chew and when I was 11 years old, my life totally changed because I found out I had a brain tumor.

I started having headaches and seeing double vision, so my dad took me in to see an eye doctor who referred me in for an MRI the next day. I was diagnosed with a brain tumor - an astrocytoma.

My dad and I sat there in the E.R. waiting for an ambulance to transport me for scheduled brain surgery that next morning. It was very scary, and I just wanted to go home.

The ABTA was a great source of information to my parents when I was first diagnosed. We were all very scared and had no idea where to go or who to turn to for questions. The ABTA had so many resources; it helped put my parents at ease, knowing that there was help out there.

My surgery was a success but they were not able to get the entire tumor because of where it was growing on my brain stem. The challenge came again when they told me I would be scheduled for 30 treatments of radiation. One treatment every day for six weeks. That was tough, but I made it.

I love meeting new friends and hearing about their journey. That's why I fundraise and support the ABTA. Their programs help brain tumor patients and caregivers, like my parents, who found the peace of mind they needed during my brain tumor diagnosis because of the ABTA.