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Dancing for a Cure! Spring Dance Inspiration 2008 – a Cure for Brain Tumors By Tatjana Greiner “Dancing with the feet is one thing, but dancing with the heart is another.” — anonymous The Spring Dance Inspiration – seeking a cure for brain tumors – is back! The acclaimed international dance showcase returns April 26-27 to the Cowell Theater at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. Two days of passionate dance performed by internationally renowned guest artists as well as local Bay Area dancers who will be contributing their time and talents to help raise awareness of brain tumors and funds for the National Brain Tumor Foundation (NBTF). The NBTF, a nationwide, San Francisco-based non-profit organization founded in 1981 by two fathers who lost their sons to brain cancer, provides peer support networks, caregiver educational workshops, treatment center databases, medical information nurses, support group listings and much more. In 2007, the NBTF awarded $1 million in grants for brain tumor research. In 2006, Tomoko Ozawa, M.D., Ph.D., a Research Scientist in the Brain Tumor Research Center, in the Department of Neurological Surgery at UCSF and Kumiko Dews, an interior designer hailing from Japan founded TK Fundraising Productions to stage high-quality cultural and artistic fundraising events for non-profit anti-cancer organizations. In her professional work, Ozawa seeks improved therapeutic strategies for malignant brain tumors. In her free time, she loves classical ballet and salsa. Kumiko Dews, a creator of traditional “Togei” Japanese pottery, is passionate about flamenco and studied it at a festival in Spain. They met in a dance class years ago. Kumiko was moved by Ozawa’s stories on how difficult it is for brain tumor patients to find organized and financial support in order to make a complete recovery. Their first production, the acclaimed “Spring Dance Inspiration 2007 – a cure for brain tumors,” featuring international dance legends such as Flamenco artist La Tania and Yoko Watanabe’s Russian Original Ballet Theater raised over $36,000. The proceeds went to the NBTF to support their activities: to promote a cure for brain tumors; to improve the quality of life for patients with brain tumors; to give hope to the brain tumor community by funding meaningful research, and to provide patients resources, timely information and education. “Right now we’re focusing our fundraising events on the field of brain tumors,” says Ozawa. “This year, we’re focusing on NBTF’s Patient Help Fund, one of the few financial assistance programs available to help the brain tumor community fight the financial burden of this illness because there’s isn’t enough help available to patients and their families.” Approximately 40,000 new incidents of brain cancer are reported annually in the United States. With treatment bills easily exceeding $85,000, the disease is far more than a medical crisis. Many patients and their families are left financially destitute. Insurance only covers so much – in some cases a mere one-sixth of the expenses. The NBTF is trying to fill some of the many gaps challenging patients and their families. Due to the high disability rate resulting from brain cancer, survivors face a significant reduction in income and productivity. It can take up to two years for disabled brain tumor patients to get into the Medicare loop and receive coverage. The NBTF’s Patient Help Fund is a unique financial program assisting participants through some of the hardships by offering up to $1,000 per month in financial aid. At this year’s Spring Dance Inspiration, dedicated individuals will congregate to do their part in helping the fight for a cure of this difficult disease. “Any money that’s being donated,” says Kumi Dews, “means a ray of hope for a patient.” Guest speakers Susan M. Chang, M.D., Professor in Residence and Vice Chair of Neurological Surgery at UCSF, Margaretta Page, R.N., M.S., Clinical Nurse Specialist of Neurological Surgery at UCSF and Mary Lovely, R.N., Ph.D., Medical Information Specialist of the NBTF will introduce the latest developments in treating brain tumors. Abbie Ackerman, a professional dancer with Ngyuen Dance Company and five-year survivor of glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive brain cancers, will share her story. Steffanie E. Goodman, M.P.H., the Caregivers Project Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at UCSF will introduce the Caregivers Project for physicians and family caregivers of brain tumor patients. She will promote some of their program materials such as an educational handbook for family members and educational DVDs for physicians- in-training. Local and international artists from all over the world will dance, with their feet and their hearts, to help raise awareness of brain tumors. Performances include returning guest artist La Tania, accompanied by singer Jesus Montoya of Seville, the “Pavarotti of Flamenco,” Salsa with Seaon Stylist, Middle-Eastern Dance with award-winning bellydancer Shabnam, Argentine Tango (including UCSF dancers Laura Elias and Guillermo Elias, Neuroscience Graduate Students), Traditional African Dance, Hawaiian Hula, Kathy Mata’s Classical Ballet (including UCSF dancer Heejay A. Chung, D.M.D., Assistant Professor, PRDS, School of dentistry), Chinese Classical and Philippine Folk Dance, and more. General adult tickets are $37. A range of prices and discounts for students, patients and seniors are available on the Spring Dance Inspiration 2008 website: www.tkfproductions.org.
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