Published Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Coweta brain cancer survivor meets with Governor

From STAFF REPORTS

closeup@newnan.com

Five-year-old Calla Kennedy of Coweta is a real trooper.

Kennedy and other young survivors of brain tumors — The Tumor Troopers — visited with Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal May 2.

May is "Brain Tumor Awareness Month" in the State of Georgia, and Governor Deal signed a proclamation to officially recognize the observance.

Eight families affected by brain tumors, along with Sherry Samuels of the Brain Tumor Foundation for Children, went to the Capitol to meet Deal. The Foundation is a national non-profit organization based in Atlanta.

Calla Kennedy had a malignant brain tumor at the age of 20 months, and is now tumor and cancer free. She was among the group members who received a hardcopy of the official proclamation.

According to the Foundation, 10 children are diagnosed each day with a brain tumor. More than 75 percent of the children diagnosed with brain tumors are under the age of 15. There are more than 120 types of brain tumors.

Calla and her mother Shanda, father Brad and brother Gus are holding a fundraiser in honor of Brain Tumor Awareness Month, benefiting the Brain Tumor Foundation for Children.

To donate to Team Calla Bunga, please visit http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/shanda-kennedy/team-calla-bunga .