‘Go Grey in May’ Campaign encourages Brain Tumor Awareness
From Special Reports
May is National Brain Tumor Awareness Month, and a Coweta nonprofit has decided to “Go Grey in May” this year to raise awareness about brain tumors and fund brain tumor research they hope will one day lead to a cure. Go Grey in May is also a reference to the grey ribbon that is the symbol of the fight against brain tumors.
Can’t Never Could, Inc. observes Go Grey in May each year in honor of its founder, Rob Estes. In August 2013, Rob was diagnosed with Grade IV glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer. After the removal of a five-centimeter tumor in his right frontal lobe, he lived on for more than four years, and during his fight with glioblastoma, Rob and his family realized the importance of faith, community, perseverance and hope. They also realized the importance of helping others in their times of adversity, so in 2013, Rob and his wife, Christi, started a nonprofit to help those facing similar challenges. The name “Can’t Never Could” was inspired by Rob’s mother. He said that when he was growing up and complained about something he couldn’t do, his mom would always reply, “Can’t never could.”
Today, Can’t Never Could says it is “dedicated to helping individuals and groups who are facing adversity and personal battles. Through monetary donations, support and faith in Jesus Christ, Can’t Never Could wishes to instill determination and hope to those who are experiencing these challenges.”
Can’t Never Could is known for its generosity in helping people facing all kinds of adversity in life. Last year alone, they awarded grants totaling more than $80,000, a 20 percent increase over previous years. These grants assisted individuals with everything from abdominal cancer to brain cancer, breast cancer, leukemia and pancreatic cancer. One of the recipients had been injured in a car accident.
“Because of the coronavirus pandemic and now the tornado, we’ve experienced an increase in the number of grant applications,” Christi Estes said. “For that reason, we’d love for the community to remember to ‘Go Grey in May’ and help us as we help some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Can’t Never Could provides college scholarships to high school seniors whose families are facing financial challenges due to cancer or a brain illness, and it also provides scholarships for students with learning disabilities to attend Squirrel Hollow Camp at The Bedford School in Fairburn.
Each year, Can’t Never Could holds a major fundraiser, its Grey Matters Dinner Event. Past speakers have included Jeremy Williams, Vince and Barbara Dooley, Denise Jackson, Aimee Copeland, Bobby Henline, Inky Johnson and Ashley Smith Robinson. The next dinner event is slated for August 30, 2021 at The Newnan Centre and will feature Steve Stirling, president and CEO of MAP International, a Christian nonprofit whose mission is to provide medicines and health supplies to those in need around the world.
According to the American Brain Tumor Association, which advocates on behalf of the brain tumor community in the United States, over 700,000 Americans are living with a brain tumor, and more than 84,000 more will be diagnosed with a primary brain tumor in 2021. About 28,000 children in the U.S. are currently fighting brain tumors. The median age at diagnosis for all primary brain tumors is 60, and brain and central nervous system tumors are the third most common cancer among those 15-39.
To make a donation to the Go Grey in May fundraiser, individuals may visit cantnevercouldinc.com and click on the “Give” tab at the top of the page. For more information, please email [email protected].
