It’s a full circle imitative for one Oakland County woman.
After experiencing a seizure at a coffee shop and later learning she had a brain tumor, Molly Marco started Beans 4 Brains.
For the month of May, coffee shops across Metro Detroit participate by donating a portion of their profits or spreading awareness.
“I’m living because of coffee,” said Marco.
In July 2016, Marco was at a Detroit coffee shop when the unexpected happened.
“I was chatting with a barista, and all of a sudden, I got nauseous, and I put my hands on the table,” Marco said. “And I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, I’m going to throw up or pass out or something.’ Well, the next thing I know, I’m on the floor.”
She was taken to the hospital, where doctors discovered she not only had a seizure but a brain tumor.
“I didn’t need emergency surgery immediately, which was great, because then I got to shop around, and that’s how I found Henry Ford,” Marco said.
She met neuro-oncologist Dr. Jim Snyder.
“We’re a nationally recognized brain tumor center and had been for many years and one of the largest brain tumor tissue banks in the country,” said Snyder.
He said brain tumors were rare, and not all of them are cancerous. Snyder also said there was not a specific symptom that’s tagged for brain tumors.
“Most people present with something like a stroke, so having vigilance around stroke awareness,” Marco said.
Now, Marco is stable, thriving, seeing her specialists every few months, and doing all she can to spread awareness.
“I want to raise funds for the patients, and the research and coffee is the best way to do it,” Marco said.
She started Beans 4 Brains in 2020 to benefit Game on Cancer.
“Game on Cancer is a partnership with the Detroit Lions to help patients when they’re in need,” Snyder said. “When someone is faced with a cancer diagnosis or brain tumor diagnosis or anything like that, there’s just a tremendous burden both financially and then on your life.”
Coffee companies and shops across Metro Detroit and even Flint are participating all month long.
Participating shops can be found below:
Sabbath Coffee Roasters
Location: 24 E. 14 Mile Rd., Clawson, MI 48017
Donation type: Ritual House Blend coffee beans. Throughout entire month of May, they will donate $5 from every Ritual House bag sold. Can buy at shop or order online.
Link: https://sabbathcoffeeroasters.com/products/ritual-house-blend
Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters
Locations:
FERNDALE:
927 Hilton Rd., Ferndale, MI 48220
ROYAL OAK :
115 S. Main St., Royal Oak, MI 48067
Phone: (248) 307-7161
ROCHESTER:
336 S. Main St., Rochester MI 48307
Phone: (248) 453-5239
DETROIT:
1220 Griswold St., Detroit MI 48226
Phone: (313) 338-3515
Donation Type (all locations): 10% of every sale of the Rwanda Ejo Heza sold in the month of May. Can order at any of their locations or order online.
Link: https://www.docr.coffee/rwanda-ejo-heza
Rootless Coffee Co.
Phone: (810) 221-3322
Locations: **online order only
Donation type: $6 from every bag of Beans 4 Brains sold in May.
Link: https://rootlesscoffee.com/collections/partners/products/beans4brains
Coffee shops using coffee drinks made in store to go toward the cause:
Kekoa Brew Co.
Location: 3351 Third St., Wyandotte, MI 48192
Donation type: a portion of ALL banana drink sales during month of May will be donated to GOC’s Beans 4 Brains.
Kahve House
Location:
22 S. Main St., Clawson, MI 48017
Donation type: half off of each delicious Italian Affogato will be donated to GOC’s Beans 4 Brains. An affogato is espresso and ice cream!
