MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Cocktails & Cornhole is the creative idea of Amanda Day Rose, the Event Coordinator. As a patient of The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center since January, 2020, Amanda knows all too well about the challenges, suffering, and sometimes despair experienced by brain tumor patients. Diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) in 2020 with 14 brain tumors, Amanda has undergone multiple craniotomies, spinal surgery, radiation, and other treatments. There is no known cure for NF2. She has already lost part of her vision and hearing due to inoperable tumors – and she undergoes frequent MRI’s and medical procedures to monitor the growth of existing or new tumors for treatment and surgery when needed.
But she has not let her illness bring her down for long.
Amanda decided early on that she wanted her diagnosis to help others dealing with the same or similar situations. She immersed herself in volunteering for the Angels Among Us 5k in 2021 and assumed the position of Development Coordinator for Angels Among Us at Duke in 2022. In addition to her full-time job as owner of Wister’s Florals, Gifts & Clothing Boutique in South Boston, Virginia, Amanda decided that still was not enough.
That’s when she had the idea for a local fundraiser to help support Angels Among Us. And she found that there are many local residents who want to help too! Kelly Gordon of Springfield Distillery, Teresa and David McCollum of McCollum Ferrell Shoes, and Jimmy Powell of Stellar Media Group were quick to respond to the call for help!
Many more have volunteered to help with the event and Amanda and her team hope it will be an annual event for the community. It’s a time to come together, raise money, and celebrate those who battle brain tumors every day – all in a fun, supportive, and hopeful atmosphere!
We hope you all will come out to enjoy the day’s events on November 18th – and there will be plenty to enjoy!
Thank you for your support through volunteering, donating, praying, and/or wishing everyone well!
LEARN MORE
The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, established in 1937, was one of the first brain tumor research and clinical programs in the United States. Internationally recognized as a leader in research and treatment of brain tumors, it is the largest and most successful of its type in the nation and they currently care for more than 2,200 patients with brain tumors – adult and pediatric – who have come to Duke from all over the world. The largest and most successful fundraiser for the Center is the Angels Among Us event.
For more information, or to register for the Angels Among Us 5k at Duke on April 27, 2024, visit the website.
You can also join Amanda’s team, Wister’s Warriors, by visiting this link.
