Overcoming Adversity: Gabriel Rodrigues and the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada

Meet Gabriel Rodrigues, a Laurentian and Cambrian graduate (as well as a former star soccer player for the Voyageurs), who has been all over the news lately.  Gabriel has quite the story to tell. At an early age (around 7 years old) he was suffering from some constant dizziness, double vision, and even woke up regularly from night terrors. Obviously a concerning matter, Rodrigues’ family sent him through a gauntlet of medical appointments, culminating in a CT scan confirming a parent’s nightmare… Gabriel had a brain tumour.

Following this diagnosis, he was brought to Sick Kids Toronto for surgery, upon arrival his parents were told to expect the worst. Doctors immediately began their efforts to save him, installing a shunt in his head to relieve the pressure from the tumour. This was a temporary relief however, after roughly a week, the symptoms returned. Gabriel was then rushed to surgery where he was in intensive surgery for ten hours to remove the tumour. The tumour consisted of non-cancerous tissue and a cyst, and it was almost the size of a golf ball.

Gabriel is the current spokesperson for this years’ Sudbury Brain Tumour Walk, and he was kind enough to chat with us and share his harrowing experience.

What was it like as a child to go through such an experience?

As a child, I didn’t really know the severity of a Brain Tumour. I was just excited to go to Toronto! I thought I was simply going through something and it would pass, but after receiving the first surgery to insert the shunt in my head, I was starting to realize how bad my situation was. Once I was ready to receive the main surgery to remove the tumour that is when I knew it was either going to be life or death. If I think of this happening to me now, things would definitely be different. It seems like a blessing to me to have this happen to me when I was eight because if it would happen now, it would feel like my life is going to be over. There’s so many things as an adult that we stress over, whether it be a job, paying bills or just trying to get a decent sleep. Top that with being diagnosed with a brain tumour! That would put all those stresses on standstill, but it definitely would be a scary and uncertain feeling. As a kid though, the situation felt like I was going to get healthy and get back to playing sports and doing what I love. 

What hurt the most for me was seeing my parents and sister coping with my situation. The fact that they couldn’t help me and hoping the doctors could save my life.  That, I think, is the hardest thing to think about. I love my family and wouldn’t want anything to hurt them in anyway. They helped me get through this as a kid and I owe them a lot.

What motivated you to get involved with the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada? Do you feel that you need to give back?

For the last four years, my intentions were always to try and help out the Brain Tumour Foundation but for some reason, when the Sudbury walks would approach, I would back out and feel anxious. It was a weird feeling because I never really shared my story and I was making excuses to not go whether it was the weather or I just wasn’t feeling well. However, one day, my energy felt low and it felt like I was missing something. So I thought back to my life and my experiences to try to pick out things that I have done. I was always taught by my grandfather that “when you feel down, lend a helping hand.”  His voice stuck with me and so I reached out to the Brain Tumour Foundation because my brain tumour had such an effect on my life. I initially asked to just volunteer with the walk and they asked me if I knew any Brain Tumour survivor and then I hesitated to tell them I was but then I finally had the courage to share my story because I believe sharing it will help a child, a parent or even an adult diagnosed with one.

Yes, I do feel like I have to give back because I am a survivor and this foundation represents me and all my scars. My battle wounds are represented through my brain tumour and I beat it! My story is meant to help others overcome whatever they are going through.

What can you share with our readers about your experience that stands out? Furthermore, when did you begin working with the organization?

This is my first year working with the organization! The one thing I can share about my experience is that family and friends are everything. Block out all the stresses of life and know that the close people in your life is what matters. They are in your life for a reason. They will always be there for you to lend a hand or stand by your bedside. Before my second surgery to remove the tumour, I will never forget the moment my father told me “if you remember me when you wake up, wink!” So I remember waking up and just seeing my father’s figure. I tried my hardest to wink at him hoping it wasn’t just a dream. And it wasn’t.  He was so happy and if he tells you the story today, he will tell you that was one of the most relieving moments of his life. That moment alone showed me what commitment and love really represents. I am forever grateful of my father and mother being by my side my entire stay at SickKids.  Those moments with my family were incredible and I think if it were to happen again, they would do the same.

As an active member of the community, what message do you have about engagement in this event and others to support this cause?

Of course there are a lot of things people will prioritize first but this event gives way to an open dialogue about Brain Tumours and the awareness surrounding it. However, as much as this walk represents Brain Tumour awareness, it is about those who are still battling or have lost the battle to a brain tumour. I had a great friend named Marcelo when I was at Sick kids. He was 17 years old with a terminal brain tumour and ended up passing away a year later. When I think back, he was a true hero to me because he guided me throughout my recovery and rehabilitation. He always told me I was going to get healthy and do great things. I walk for him because he was a person who believed in me and an individual whose life was cut short. This is what this walk is all about!