Charity 1942 plane flight visits area

Kissinger

Brian Kissinger, a brain cancer survivor and former Gulf Breeze resident, is flying across the United States to raise $100,000 for the National Brain Tumor Foundation. During Brian's Flight he made a scheduled stop in Pensacola on Monday, June 11.

It is important to understand why this flight is called Brian's Flight. When Brian was based in Okinawa, Japan, the Air Force pilots were given hats with their names embroidered on the back. His name was spelled incorrectly, and 'brain' became his nick-name. Little did he know of what was waiting for him.

In 2003, Brian was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor - ogliodendroglioma, stage 2 - at age 34. He underwent a significant

surgery to remove the baseball-sized tumor and spent 2 years doing chemotherapy treatments. He has been cancer free since 2005.

Brian lived in Gulf Breeze for several years in the late 90's when he was an Air Force Navigator on the MC-130 while stationed at Hurlburt Field Special Operations. He was also a member of the Gulf Breeze Optimist Club.

"What Brian is doing is so very important, not only to those diagnosed with brain cancer, but for their friends and family who are trying to understand and help," says Rob Tufel, MSW, MPH, Executive Director of the National Brain Tumor Foundation. "There are over 120 different types of brain tumors, both malignant and non-malignant. Secondary brain tumors - those that spread from a cancer in another part of the body - affect 15 percent of all cancer patients. What is needed is more focus on this disease."

When asked what inspired him to take off across the country in his rebuilt 1942 World War II L-4 Piper Cub, Kissinger grins.

"Modern jets are fantastic to fly, but the sense of connection with an old plane is different. The pilot is close enough to the ground to really see the beauty, at a speed where it all seems real. Brian's Flight will be the first 'mission' of this old 'warbird' in years, and I can see no better reason to bring it back into service on one more mission," Kissinger said.

The National Brain Tumor Foundation (NBTF), is a nonprofit organization serving people whose lives are affected by brain tumors. NBTF is dedicated to promoting a cure for brain tumors, improving the quality of life and giving hope to the brain tumor community by funding meaningful research and providing patient resources, timely information and education.

To reach Brian Kissinger directly, his cell phone number is 618-980-1130. To learn about NBTF call 1-800-934- CURE (2873) or visit their website at www.braintumor.org.