A high school senior in the Capital Region says she wouldn’t be fighting the fight against brain cancer if her mom hadn’t been so tough years ago while battling the disease.

Katie Gross is a senior at Tamarac High School, and she is spearheading the inaugural Heads of Hope 5K in her mom’s memory.

Janine Gross died from brain cancer in 2017. The inaugural 5K is this Sunday, June 2.

The course covers a lot of the Tamarac School campus in Brunswick.​

After looking for Capital Region events raising money for research and support, Katie decided to start her own event with her family’s help.

“The effects of brain cancer don’t just happen at Tamarac. It’s everywhere,” said Katie. “I know specifically, like, my family, we come from all over the place. We drive hours to see each other, so I think anyone from anywhere can feel the effects of brain cancer.”

“My mom was a really big go-getter,” she added. “I know that if I didn’t start this and she was alive, she would have done the same thing.”

There is also a one-mile walk, plus face painting, a bounce house, lawn games and a concession stand. All proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the American Brain Cancer association.

You can sign-up here.