SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | JULY 3, 2022
NEIGHBORS
Neighbors
Julie and Maury Kessler and their kids were broken-hearted by the tragic accidental drowning of one of their dogs last year. Now they have started a campaign to prevent other tragedies inadvertently caused by contractors.
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Brie Dragonattie, assistant principal of Notre Dame Preparatory, is flanked by Radia Wong, left, and Lillian Mueller, a member of the student-run nonprofit Students Supporting Brain Tumor Research. (Special to the Tribune)
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Scottsdale family urges dog owners to ‘PAWS’ Students run group to fight brain tumors BY SUSIE STECKNER Progress Guest Writer
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hen Julie and Maury Kessler decided to repair the roof on their Scottsdale home, they asked all the typical questions of the roofing company: How long would the project take? What was the repair cost? Was there anything they should know in advance? What the couple did not know was that a lightweight, clear plastic covering would be placed over the pool. That attracted the couple’s dog Oakley, who had never shown an interest in the pool before. In just moments, he fell into the pool and drowned. “I jumped in as fast as I could, but I couldn’t save him,” said Julie Kessler. “Now, I’ve made it my mission to help other families avoid tragedy. Through
Oakley’s Oath, we’re educating homeowners about asking all the right questions and we’re also planning to work with companies so they understand the importance of explaining exactly what is going to happen inside and outside the home.” The Kesslers lost Oakley in 2021; one of their other dogs, Oakley’s brother Spex, passed away months later. The family believes Spex was broken-hearted. Kessler launched the grassroots Oakley’s Oath last year. She is raising awareness through Oakley’s Oath social media accounts and also on the Nextdoor app. She is also sharing Oakley’s story with corporations like Chewy.com in hopes of finding like-minded partners. Ulti-
see OAKLEY page 22
BY MELODY BIRKETT Progress Contributor
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he statistics are alarming. Within the next 12 months, over 200,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with a primary or metastatic brain tumor. Brain tumors are now the leading cause of solid tumor cancer deaths in children through high-school age and the secondleading cause of cancer deaths in young adults ages 20 to 39. Even benign brain tumors. Due to their location, they are difficult to treat and often severely compromise the quality of life. The cure rate for most brain tumors is significantly lower than that for most
BASIS Mesa Class of 2022 member Ayush Kothari co-chairs the student-run nonprofit. (Special to the Tribune)
other types of cancer. Amid these gloomy statistics, a nonprofit was started in Arizona in 2002 to raise funds for brain tumor research. It was founded shortly after three students from the Paradise Valley School District were diagnosed with brain tumors and ultimately died. Students Supporting Brain Tumor Research is the largest student-run non-profit in Arizona. So far, it has raised over $3.7 million. The organization provides opportunities for students to work with managers of large companies, do media interviews, talk with researchers and observe live
see TUMOR page 23
