August 27, 1999

Two years ago, Kelly Shaw's life changed unexpectedly. She was on her way home from a vacation when she experienced an uncontrollable seizure in her right arm and her speech became slurred. She was rushed to an emergency room and after many tests was told that she had a brain tumor.

"This was devastating news for me, my family and my friends," says Shaw. "I was in shock. To me, having a brain tumor automatically meant a death sentence."

After the shock subsided, Shaw came to the MGH Brain Tumor Center for help. She underwent brain surgery, and 95 percent of her aggressive brain tumor was removed. She then had 33 radiation treatments and 36 weeks of chemotherapy.

"Thanks to new research, modern medicine and the doctors, nurses and technicians at the MGH, I'm OK now," says Shaw. "But my fight for life isn't over." Shaw comes back to the MGH from her home in Georgetown, Mass., every three months for an MRI to check for a recurrence of cancer. So far, there has been no regrowth of the tumor.

Despite her battle against cancer, Shaw is determined to continue leading a full and active life. Over the last two years, she has traveled to California, Jamaica, Florida, Pennsylvania and Texas – more travelling than she had done her entire life. Shaw is planning a wedding for October, and she and her fiancé, Jim Murphy, just bought a house. And amid the flurry of activity, she has planned a 5K walkathon, "Strides of Survival," to be held Sept. 12 in Newburyport, Mass., to help fund research at the MGH Brain Tumor Center.

"Kelly's brain tumor has responded very well to treatment," says John Henson, MD, Shaw's neuro-oncologist and executive director of the MGH Brain Tumor Center. "Her work to support research at the center is part of the wonderful spirit she has shown in the face of a serious illness."

Shaw admits that she used to be the type of person who let life happen to her, but not anymore. "I am not that same person any longer," she says. "I cannot sit idly by and wait for things to happen. I no longer have that luxury."

For more information about the walk, call (978) 352-6309.