Meet Wendy Santana | Brain Tumor Awareness Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Wendy Santana and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wendy, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
In business, I never gave up (almost to a fault because as I’ve learned over the last several years, sometimes you have to know when to let go). It wasn’t until I had a grand mal seizure in October of 2014 followed by the diagnosis of a malignant brain tumor that I learned to listen to my body (not that I had a choice) and finally realized sometimes that means surrendering to circumstances beyond my control.

After my craniotomy, there were times when I wanted to give up on life in general. I went through a depression, lost my sense of self, and what I believed were my best qualities. Having lost the ability to speak well for a few years due to aphasia and needing to relearn how to walk and drive, I learned to appreciate small wins. It took a long time for my right side to regain a full range of movement. I recall one night seriously contemplating giving up. But then I thought about my family, especially my son, and how that would impact his life. Soon after, I began taking actions that helped me redefine myself and my place in the world. I did things I never thought I would or could do. I created a website (https://2ndchance2live.com) and began a blog geared toward sharing resources and raising awareness for brain tumors and cancer. I started interviewing survivors who had published memoirs and all of this activity had the unexpected benefit of helping me move forward. Eventually, I launched an ongoing brain tumor and cancer awareness campaign called “A Face of Strength” https://2ndchance2live.com/afaceofstrength/ where I can help memorialize those who are no longer with us and share the profound wisdom and endurance of survivors, caregivers, and supporters within the brain tumor and cancer communities.

While there isn’t a cure for brain tumors (yet), things are constantly changing. For instance, just since my diagnosis, there has been research published that helped clarify my tumor type and identify the genetic markers which inform my neuro-oncologist on what treatments I will respond best to in the future.

In summary, I’ve learned to pay attention to my body which means understanding the value of balance and that there are times in business when it’s imperative to stop. On the flip side when it comes to a serious medical condition and chronic illnesses, I hope to inspire others not to give up hope because you never know what breakthroughs are right around the corner.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
On April 3, 2023, after being medically retired for eight years, I returned to my career and started working with the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) as the organization’s first Western Region Community Manager. My job entails building awareness, deepening support, and growing partnerships for the ABTA in California and eventually throughout the Western United States. In this role, I am responsible for California’s Breakthrough for Brain Tumor 5K (BT5K) events and ensuring that hospitals and brain tumor centers in the region are aware of the free services and support we provide to brain tumor patients and caregivers.

By the way, the 2024 L.A. BT5K will take place at Tongva Park in Santa Monica on October 26th. Link to details: https://give.abta.org/event/2024-bt5k-los-angeles/e551059

Last year there were over 440 attendees and 28 teams at the L.A. BT5K. Local supporters included the Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Global Coalition for Adaptive Research, Keck Medicine of USC, Los Angeles Cancer Network, UCLA Health, and a large team from Cedars-Sinai. Maria Quiban (Fox 11 Good Day L.A. Morning Meteorologist and author of “You Can’t Do It Alone”) was the event emcee.

I also had the chance to represent the ABTA during a Brain Tumor Awareness event in May at Pacific Neuroscience Institute, the 23rd Annual Brain Tumor Conference at UCLA, and the first-ever Southern California Brain Tumor Conference hosted by the Keck School of Medicine of USC. This incredible event was led by USC and included guest faculty from seven major brain tumor centers across Los Angeles and Orange County. Guest faculty shared information about their current research, surgical techniques, clinical trials, imaging, and treatments. The 2024 Conference will be held on December 6th at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There is so much to do right here in Long Beach. We could visit the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) or have lunch overlooking the ocean at Claire’s before perusing the Long Beach Museum of Art. We could stroll along Shoreline Village, Belmont Shore, or the Naples Canals. We could visit the Aquarium of the Pacific, take a tour of The Queen Mary, or a Ferry to Catalina Island. We could even go for a bike ride at El Dorado Nature Park.

Of course, if my best friend is visiting the weekend of October 26th, we would attend the ABTA’s BT5K event in Santa Monica and then hang out at the Santa Monica Pier.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are multiple people and organizations that helped me regain my strength during my recovery. First, I would like to give a shoutout to my family and friends. Especially my husband, Luis, who didn’t fold under the pressure to have my brain tumor immediately resected at the hospital where the biopsy was performed. He stayed by my side and for years taking me to every single MRI and meeting with my neuro-oncologist. I would also like to thank my son’s grandparents, Kathy and Craig Alexander (a.k.a Nana & Gamps) – two of the most supportive and wonderful people I know. Kathy stayed with us for seven months and took care of my son as I was going through physical, speech, and occupational therapy (which included relearning how to drive). I would like to acknowledge the UCLA Brain Tumor Center, especially my neurosurgeon, Dr. Linda Liau for literally saving my life and my neuro-oncologist Dr. Timothy Cloughesy for helping me maintain the best quality of life possible. Thank you to Al Musella, DPM for publishing “That Thing on my Mom’s Brain,” a children’s book created by my son and me a few months after my craniotomy. Additionally, my physical therapist, David Tai, and all of the caring individuals who work at Transitional Rehabilitation Services at Memorial Care. I would also like to give a shoutout to Ashley Alverado and Jon Cohn for inviting me to share my story in 2018 (when my voice was still halted and my right side was very weak) during a live KPCC “Unheard L.A.” show. And lastly, The American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) for providing volunteer opportunities (including the chance to give the survivor speech at the 2019 Breakthrough for Brain Tumors 5K run/walk (BT5K). All of these things not only challenged me but also helped me rebuild my confidence and gave me a sense of purpose during my recovery.

Website: https://2ndchance2live.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2nd.chance.2.live/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-santana-34392512/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/2nd_Chance2Live

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2ndChance2Live

Other: https://www.abta.org/ BT5K.org

Image Credits
BT5K Image Credits: Thomas O. McCaffrey