ALL FOR WALKER
Tara is doing something…
It was a routine eye exam that led to the discovery that Tara Gordon Lipton’s six-year-old son, Walker, had a brain tumor. Life was turned upside down in an instant.
After being diagnosed with medulloblastoma, Walker’s tumor was removed by renowned neurosurgeons Dr. Mark Souweidane and Dr. Jeffrey Greenfield, who worked in tandem in the OR to address his challenging case (a very rare occurrence). The successful resection was followed up with an intense series of treatments that saved his life – and left a lasting impact on the Lipton family. Today, Tara continues to help others impacted by this terrifying diagnosis through her work with the Children’s Brain Tumor Project among other philanthropic efforts.
“Walker is my youngest of four children. Upon diagnosis, I became fiercely protective of my child, stopping at absolutely nothing to ensure he was getting the best care,” said Tara.
His tumor was surgically removed at New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medicine, and followed up with an effective, albeit brutal, treatment protocol at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
“It was hell. I had to resist the urge to run away every day we walked into clinic, but then when the elevator doors opened to reveal hundreds of kids on the oncology floor I realized that I can never turn a blind eye to this shocking reality,” Tara said. “I vowed that once we got through our own journey, I would continue to help others impacted by the disease.”
Today, Tara advocates for more research funding that will advance treatment options for children with rare and inoperable brain tumors. Since 2018, Tara has chaired “No Laughing Matter – A Night of Comedy in Support of the Children’s Brain Tumor Project.”
The inaugural event was held at Carolines on Broadway and has since relocated to the New York Athletic Club. Over the years, thanks to Tara’s commitment, it has grown into the largest and most critical annual fundraiser in support of pediatric brain tumor research at Weill Cornell Medicine.
Multiple comedians have donated their time and talent to support the event. Headliners have included such stars as actor/comedian Jim Gaffigan, Roy Wilson, Jr., and special Tony Award Winners, Freestyle Love Supreme.
Combined, the events have raised more than $4M for research. Save the Date for October 10, 2024 at the New York Athletic Club, Central Park South!
Tara is doing something. You can do something, too. Donate to the Children’s Brain Tumor Project today.