By Taylor Smith 

The Central New Jersey Brain Tumor Walk on Saturday, May 11 at Bradley Park in Asbury Park is an event to raise awareness and resources to fund critical brain tumor-specific programs to improve the lives of all those affected by brain tumors. 

Hosted by the National Brain Tumor Society, the Central New Jersey Brain Tumor Walk offers individuals and teams a chance to honor and remember loved ones, connect with others interested in brain tumor research, and helps to educated the local community on the diverse needs of the brain tumor community. 

The 5K walk begins at 10 a.m. at Bradley Park (in front of the Convention Center). Registration will take place from 8 to 9 a.m. and a Remembrance Ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. All funds raised through the event allow the National Brain Tumor Society to advance public policy to improve the availability of new and better treatments for those living with brain tumors. The goal is to raise $200,000. 

Here are some little-known facts about brain tumors: 

• Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related death in children and adolescents under the age of 19. 
• There are approximately 140 different types of brain tumors.
• Only five drugs and one device exist to treat these different types of tumors.
• Malignant brain tumors can also be considered equal parts cancer and neurological disease.
• An estimated 87,000 people will be diagnosed in the United States with a brain tumor this year.
• Brain tumor research is the most underfunded cancer today.

The cost of event day registration is $40 for adults (free to children). 

To register for the walk, visit https://events.braintumor.org/central-new-jersey-brain-tumor-walk/.