State College Teacher Battling Brain Tumor for Second Time Organizes Charity Fundraiser

Community members will soon come together to support a local mother who is battling a brain tumor for the second time.

The Team Snap 5K race will take place at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9, at Tudek Park, 400 Herman Drive. Proceeds from the event will benefit the National Brain Tumor Society in honor of Jamie Barbarich Covol, an autistic support teacher at Mount Nittany Middle School.

Covol was diagnosed with a brain tumor eight years ago, three months after her eldest son was born. After that, she and her husband, Brian, joined by their two sons, Braylan, 8, and Layton, 4, began participating in the Race for Hope in Philadelphia, which also benefits the National Brain Tumor Society.

Covol and her family recently learned that the tumor has grown back. While waiting to hear what action they will take, Covol decided to organize an event to help her sons see how much support there is for families going through a hard time.

With the help of friends, Covol organized the Team Snap 5K. Since the whole family loves being outdoors and running the Race for Hope, a local race turned out to be a great option.

“This has been very humbling,” Covol says. “We’re fortunate to live in this wonderful community and are so grateful for their support.”

By the last week in October, about 250 people had already signed up for the race. The original goal was 100 participants, according to Alli Mock, a friend and one of the race organizers.

“They’ve been so touched by the outpouring from the community,” Mock says. “It’s so awesome for them and they’re so happy.”

Covol and Mock say if all goes well with this year’s race, they’ll definitely continue it.

For more information about the race and Covol’s story, click HERE.