(This letter was written by Fatima, from the oligo on-line support group.)

Senator Edward M. Kennedy
2400 JFK Building
Boston, MA 02203

May 22, 2008

Dear Senator Kennedy:

As the news of your diagnosis filtered through the air waves, we were all greatly saddened. Who are we? We are a group of brain tumor survivors and caregivers who understand the challenges you and your family is facing. We want you to know that thousands of brain tumor patients and families across the U.S. and throughout the world are praying for you and your family.

All of us have had different experiences that have ranged from triumph to frustration to disappointment. While some of us have grieved for losses, many of us boast stories of success, triumph of the human spirit and establishment of invaluable connections with family, friends and others within the brain tumor community.

Ironically, the month of May has been designated by the brain tumor community as Brain Tumor Awareness month, and this month is used to make our policy makers aware of issues that we so desperately need help with. While media pundits have been quick to highlight the morbid details of the disease, they have been too quick to ignore the stories of thousands of survivors.

As Lance Armstrong aptly once said, "Anything is possible. You can be told that you have a 90-percent chance or a 50-percent chance or a 1-percent chance, but you have to believe, and you have to fight." Lance Armstrong, like so many other survivors are living examples of what human beings are capable of achieving despite great odds.

As a champion of great causes in the past, we have no doubt that you will fight your brain tumor with your indefinite courage. We urge you to have faith and confront this disease with the amazing spirit you have demonstrated in your career through the decades.

We wish you all the very best with your treatment. As you yourself once famously said, "The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die." Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family in this trying moment.