Around ten years ago everything in my life was going well. I was 36 years old, had two beautiful children, ages 8 and 5, and a loving wife. We were about to move into our new home and my job was going well.
Then something happened in April 1994 that would change our lives forever. I was driving along I-696 on my way to work when I began to have a strange sense of taste and smell. I later became extremely dizzy and started to shake. Luckily, I was able to drive myself to a Henry Ford Medical Center in St. Clair Shores. Based on my symptoms, Dr. Steve Mulrenin ordered an immediate x-ray testing.
Unfortunately, I received a devastating diagnosis: I had a cancerous brain tumor.
This couldn’t be, I said to myself. I’m only 36 years old. I wanted to live a long life with my wife and see our two daughters grow up. Needless to say I was very scared. One of the caring nurses at my doctor’os office suggested we contact Dr. Mark Rosenblum at Henry Ford Hospital’s Hermelin Brain Tumor Center. The Center is one of the largest neuro-oncology centers in the world and houses one of the most comprehensive brain tumor research labs in the nation.
With something as serious as a brain tumor, we knew we had to get a couple of second opinions. In the end, we realized Henry Ford Hospital was the best choice.
Dr. Rosenblum and his very talented staff provided the support and expertise to help me beat the cancer. Through their wonderful support, I was able to get my life back and able to start giving back.
The story doesn’t end there.
I feel it’s important to support these very good people in the work they do. Not only am I a survivor, I am also a loyal supporter of, and donor to, the Henry Ford Health System’s Neuroscience Institute and the Hermelin Brain Tumor Center.
In August 1994, just four months after my diagnosis with cancer and three months following my first of four surgeries, I began to participate in running events to raise money for the Neuroscience Institute.
Why? Because it’s just that important.
Every day, the work conducted at Henry Ford Hospital’s Hermelin Brain Tumor Center is making a difference in the lives of patients, their families and our community. Just like I couldn’t have become a survivor without the medical team at Henry Ford, the Hermelin Brain Tumor Center cannot continue its instrumental work in advanced neurological research and therapy without the support of generous people in the community.
There is no question we are surrounded by many wonderful medical facilities, but to me, the Hermelin Brain Tumor Center at Henry Ford Hospital is more than a recognized pioneer and global leader in the fight against cancer, it’s a special place that understands dealing with cancer goes beyond physical treatment. The support they lent me and my family went beyond what I had expected from a medical department. The scientists and researchers from the Center even went as far as to attend one of the weekly charity Bingo Games my wife and I hold to raise money for Neuroscience research.
Besides giving me my life back, the doctors and researchers at Henry Ford gave me the gift of watching my children grow up.
Kirk Dyer
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Around ten years ago everything in my life was going well. I was 36 years old, had two beautiful children, ages 8 and 5, and a loving wife. We were about to move into our new home and my job was going well. 
