KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A metro man who’s always been a go-getter is taking that same approach to fighting cancer in his brain. Tom Trabon is fighting for others, too.
Trabon always sees more for downtown Kansas City. The former head of the Downtown Council was involved in the development of many residential and mix-use projects. He’s the current chair of the Streetcar Authority.
“I’m a pretty optimistic kinda forward-thinking person in the first place,” said Trabon.
The news he received in June could have stopped him in his tracks. He has advanced brain cancer, glioblastoma. It was diagnosed when he had some strange symptoms.
“A horrible ammonia smell, then I’d get a quick chill, then I’d get a total body hot flash,” said Trabon.
The robust 64-year-old was told if he did nothing, he’d have three or four months to live.
“I was not ready to check out,” Trabon said.
His son says Trabon is determined.
“He’s fightin’. He has no interest in this being it,” said Tyler Trabon.
Tom Trabon returned to work two weeks after brain surgery. He’s undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments while working three days a week.
“For me, it’s absolutely therapeutic,” he said of his work.
Trabon has even taken on a new project. Head for the Cure is the annual 5k to be held Sunday in Overland Park. It raises money for brain cancer research done at major U.S. centers including K.U. Cancer Center. Trabon and his supporters have raised $22,000 and counting.
“What a great opportunity for me to do something to help others and maybe myself,” he said.
His team, named “Cheers to Tom” will be there Sunday cheering for a doer and a fighter.
For more on Head for the Cure, click on this link.
