About Our Efforts
Matt Duba was diagnosed with anaplastic oligodendroglioma in 2014. A mass was found with a CT scan after he experienced an episode of expressive aphasia. In May 2014, we met with a neurosurgeon and decided the best step was to undergo an operation called an awake craniotomy. Although the operation was a success, not all of the tumor could be removed. After years of Temodar, the tumor continued to show signs of growth. In late August 2017, Matt opted to have six weeks of intensity-modulated radiation therapy. The treatment shrunk down the tumor dramatically. He has been working through the side effects of the radiation with natural methods to strive towards a new normalcy.
In May of 2019, during Matt’s normal MRI checkup – it was discovered that the tumor has grown again. In April of 2020, Matt suffered a brain bleed and underwent surgery to stop the bleeding. In April of 2021, his tumor grew such that he had to have another craniotomy and had gamma tile implanted to stop the growth. Finally, in December of 2024, he underwent his 4th craniotomy and 3rd dose of radiation through the use of gamma tile radiation as the tumor had spread to another location. He was the first patient at UTSW to undergo the gamma tile radiation treatment for brain tumors and since his operation in 2021 over 50 brain tumor patients at UTSW have been treated in such a way.
As Matt continues this battle, the entire family and friends have banded together to bring awareness to the National Brain Tumor Society through the Gray Nation Endurance program.
We love him and set out to do the extreme because he is living the extreme every day through recovery! Our past efforts have raised $18,660! The goal this year is $5,000. The family has twice hiked the Grand Canyon Rim To Rim To Rim in two days. We have also hiked the Grand Tetons (65 miles in four days) and Mt. Rainier (75 miles in four days), the Lost Coast Trail in California (60+ miles in three days). In 2019, we hiked the Enchantment Trail and the Wonderland Trail - total of 60 miles! This year, we're going to Aspen, Colorado, to hike 25.7 miles in the Four Pass Loop.
Please join us on this significant cause as we come together to fundraise and support the National Brain Tumor Society.
Much love from the Duba Family
View Our Past Endurance Efforts
About the National Brain Tumor Society
National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) unrelentingly invests in, mobilizes, and unites the brain tumor community to discover a cure, deliver effective treatments, and advocate for patients and caregivers.
Building on over 30 years of experience, we are the largest patient advocacy organization in the United States committed to curing brain tumors and improving the lives of patients and families. With thousands beside us, our collective voices and actions are a powerful force for progress.
Our donors, volunteers, and partners fuel our work and accelerate breakthroughs in brain tumor research. We will not stop until we defeat brain tumors once and for all. Join us at BrainTumor.org.