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2026 LEADERSHIP AWARD HONOREE Meet Blake Barr: 2026 Dayton Walk Leadership Award HonoreeTen years after his brain tumor diagnosis, Blake Barr reflects on the people, experiences, and moments of joy that helped him through his journey. At just 10 years old, Blake Barr's childhood took an unexpected turn. In 2016, Blake began experiencing headaches and double vision. Doctors at Dayton Children's Hospital discovered a rare brain tumor, setting him and his family on a journey that would include surgery and seven weeks of proton radiation therapy. Today, Blake is 20 years old and in remission. As the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation (CBTF) prepares to recognize him with the 2026 Dayton Walk for the Cure Leadership Award, he's sharing what helped him through those difficult years and what he hopes other young survivors will remember. | |||||||||
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Finding Support Beyond TreatmentFor Blake, medical care was only part of the journey. Through Dr. Robert Lober, a pediatric neurosurgeon at Dayton Children's Hospital who also serves on CBTF's board, Blake was introduced to the foundation and found a community of people who understood what he was experiencing. When asked how CBTF impacted his life, Blake shared: | |||||||||
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That sense of connection made a lasting difference. Blake also remembers the time he and his family spent in Philadelphia during his radiation treatments. Between medical appointments, they made time to explore, enjoy activities, and experience moments of happiness together. Those memories helped remind him that life was still happening outside the hospital. | |||||||||
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| Blake as a child, surrounded by loved ones. | |||||||||
Helping Create Hope for Other ChildrenBlake's journey also holds a special connection to pediatric brain tumor research. His family was among the first to donate tumor tissue to a research biobank established by Dr. Lober at Dayton Children's Hospital. | |||||||||
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| Blake with Dr. Robert Lober, the pediatric neurosurgeon and CBTF board member who introduced him to the foundation. | |||||||||
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The initiative makes valuable tumor tissue and research data available to scientists working to better understand pediatric brain tumors and develop improved treatments. For Blake's family, the decision meant that something meaningful could come from an incredibly difficult experience. Their contribution became part of a larger effort to improve the future for children facing similar diagnoses. A Message of Perseverance and JoyNow a young adult, Blake hopes other children and families facing brain tumors will remember two things: Keep moving forward, and don't forget to enjoy life along the way. He knows firsthand how challenging treatment can be. But he also understands the importance of finding reasons to smile, spending time with loved ones, and making room for experiences that have nothing to do with a diagnosis. His perspective reflects something central to CBTF's mission: children and families need more than medical treatment. They need understanding, encouragement, meaningful connections, and opportunities to experience the everyday joys of life. Celebrating Blake at the Dayton Walk for the CureWe're honored to recognize Blake Barr with our 2026 Leadership Award. His story reminds us why we walk: to celebrate survivors, stand alongside families, support research, and help ensure no one faces a pediatric brain or spinal cord tumor diagnosis alone. We invite the Dayton community to join us in celebrating Blake and the many children, survivors, and families who inspire our work every day. | |||||||||
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JOIN US 2026 CBTF Dayton Walk for the Cure Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 9:00 AM Island MetroPark
Walking with family, friends, or coworkers? Start a team | |||||||||
| Read and share Blake's story on our website → | |||||||||
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Children's Brain Tumor Foundation Research · Community · Companionship 1460 Broadway, New York, NY 10036 cbtf.org | |||||||||