Eric Galvez
I graduated from the University of Michigan-Flint in 2003 with a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree. 23 months later, I was diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumor. In the following months I had brain surgery, radiation therapy to my brain, and months of rehabilitation with former co-workers. In 2007 I published the first edition of Reversal: When A Therapist Becomes A Patient and started an advocacy movement on facebook called “TUMORS SUCK!”.
One afternoon, I was lying in my hospital bed on the rehab unit staring at the ceiling and I had an epiphany. I should share my experiences with students and young patients. I remember how boring the books we read in school were and thinking, “I wish I knew what to expect as a patient” and, as they say, the rest is history!
I’ve explored many different avenues to express his disdain for all types of tumors. Some of my more notable experiences have been: walking in 5K’s to help raise awareness; traveling across the US to share my unique experience as a healthcare professional turned patient; and supporting numerous charitable organizations sharing the Mission of mAss Kickers Foundation - through the years, my original TUMORS SUCK! group evolved into the mAss Kickers Foundation.
