Travis’s Story

A Journey of Resilience Against Impossible Odds

Travis Reinhold is no stranger to adversity—or to fighting for his life.

In 2007, at just 35 years old, Travis was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor: an oligodendroglioma mixed with astrocytoma. With a devoted wife and three young children at home, he began a battle that would reshape every aspect of his life. What followed were two awake craniotomies, 24 months of chemotherapy, and 30 rounds of radiation. Through it all, Travis remained resilient. He refused to give up.

This is also a story about family—because he hasn’t walked this road alone. His wife has been his rock, holding their family together when everything seemed to be falling apart. His children—his motivation and strength—have grown up watching him fight, and he is determined to be here for their future. He dreams of walking his daughter down the aisle, seeing his sons get married, and holding his grandchildren one day. These are the moments he refuses to miss.

two people smile while sitting on a boat

For nearly 15 years, Travis’s MRI scans were clear. It appeared he had beaten the odds. But in 2021, the cancer returned. He faced another grueling surgery, 30 more rounds of radiation, and a year-long course of chemotherapy. And yet again—he fought.

But Travis’s journey is not just about him. It reflects the battle faced by thousands of individuals each year. Roughly 33 people are diagnosed with brain cancer every day—13 of them children. The five-year survival rate remains a daunting 33%. Travis wants to change that.

To bring awareness and support to the fight against pediatric brain cancer, Travis has launched Looping for a Cure—a nationwide awareness and fundraising mission. Every dollar raised will support critical research, treatment, and care for children battling brain cancer and their families.

When the Battle Chooses You, Strength Comes From Those You Love

As part of his mission, Travis will attempt to break the speed record for The Great Loop—a 6,000-mile boating route through America’s waterways. Starting and ending at the St. Johns River near his Florida home, he’ll be joined in stages by his closest friends and family—the same team who stood by him through every treatment and surgery. Together, they’ll document the journey, share their stories, and spotlight the courage it takes not just to survive, but to truly live.
This effort isn’t just about setting a record—it’s about breaking silence, challenging statistics, and restoring hope. Travis’s wife and children remain the heartbeat of his mission, and he fights not only for the future he dreams of with them, but for every child and parent still in the battle.

And Travis has been fighting his entire life. At 14, a scuba diving accident caused a cerebral air embolism, leaving him paralyzed in all four limbs for 20 minutes. At 16, he was hit head-on by a drunk driver in a crash that killed four teenagers; he was airlifted to the hospital and has endured over 65 hours of reconstructive surgery. At 38, he underwent emergency back surgery after a jet ski accident. And at 45, he battled a life-threatening lung infection at Mayo Clinic, treated with some of the strongest antibiotics available.

Every experience has shaped him—but none have broken him. And now, with purpose, passion, and a team that has never left his side, Travis is looping for a cure—because giving up has never been an option.