Brooke Elizabeth McLaurin:

Miss North Carolina 2005

Brooke McLaurin

After months of debilitating headaches and bouts of vomiting, on March 7, 2003, I underwent a routine brain MRI to determine their cause. I had no idea that once the MRI was completed I would be rushed to the emergency room at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in a wheelchair, admitted to the Neurosurgical Step-Down Unit, and scheduled for brain surgery first thing the next morning. I will never forget that night, as I lay alone in my room, terrified of what was to come. At the age of 21, I have to admit all I wanted was my mother by my side, but as a patient in ICU that is against policy.

I was diagnosed with a brain tumor known as a hemangioblastoma. It was the size of a 9 mm bullet and was surrounded by a cyst the size of a large egg. The tumor was located in the cerebellum. This is the second largest part of the brain and is located at the back of the head. The functions of the cerebellum are to produce smooth, coordinated movements of the skeletal muscles, maintain equilibrium, and sustain normal posture. I was warned about the chances of my having to learn to walk and talk again.

After an eight hour surgery to remove the tumor and during many weeks of recovery at home, I grew more and more curious about my illness. Upon researching hemangioblastomas, I discovered a disease called Von Hippel Lindau. This is a genetically transmitted disease that can be fatal. I learned that blood vessels in our bodies grow like trees, but for patients diagnosed with Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) blood vessels grow like "knots". These knots of capillaries can grow in various parts of the body, forming tumors and cysts known as hemangioblastomas and angiomas.

According to the VHL Family Alliance's VHL Handbook, 1 out of 32,000 people has VHL, and more than 14,000 people in 88 different countries are affected daily. In 1993, the VHL gene was discovered. The primary responsibility of this gene is to suppress tumor production in the body. When a breakdown of this gene occurs, tumors form. The VHL Handbook also explains that approximately 85% of kidney cancers are linked back to the VHL gene mutation.

I look back on this traumatic time in my life with strength, faith, and optimism: strength to carry-on, despite any situation; faith in the Lord that blessed me with a full recovery; and optimism that one can overcome any obstacle in life through faith and determination.

As Miss North Carolina, I plan to travel across this great state educating fellow citizens about brain tumors and Von Hippel Lindau Disease. I am determined that these efforts will give hope to survivors of VHL and "Untie the Knot".

Community Service Project: Brain Tumor Research and Awareness: Understanding Von Hippel-Lindau Disease

Goals as Miss North Carolina: Educate officials and citizens about the threat of brain tumors and VHL in hope to show the prevalence that these diseases have in our society. Partnering with the VHL Family Alliance and brain tumor foundations and associations from across the state and nation to eradicate brain tumors and provide a tremendous increase in funding for the search for a cure.

Ambition: After obtaining an MBA with scholarships provided by the Miss America Organization, become a successful entrepreneur. Owning and operating a full service personal image and wellness studio with the mission of improving an individual's image and confidence by promoting their uniqueness; while contributing to the economic growth of the state of North Carolina.

Brooke's Achievements: In her year as Miss Fayetteville, Brooke sponsored a golf tournament. With the earnings from that tournament she made donations to the Brain Tumor center at Duke and the VHL Family Alliance, and sponsored a Continuing Medical Education seminar on VHL for physicians in the Fayetteville Area, taught by Dr. Gladys Glenn of the National Cancer Institute.

We in the VHL Family Alliance wish her well in her reign as Miss North Carolina, and are delighted to be working with her to meet her goals!

See Brooke's website: http://www.missnc.org

As printed in the VHL Family Forum 13:2, August/September 2005. For permission to reprint, please contact VHL Family Alliance, editor@vhl.org. Further information is available from the VHL Family Alliance, info@vhl.org.

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