Groups Offer Support for Brain Tumor Survivors

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Hearing that you have a diagnosis of a brain tumor is a life-changing event. Patients range from young children to adolescents and adults. It's important to find the information, resources and support you and your family and friends need to navigate the journey through treatment and recovery.

There are many different types of brain tumors, all with different treatment recommendations and prognosis. Finding information specific to your brain tumor type is important as you learn about your diagnosis. I'd like to feature a few local and national support organizations that can help you along the way.

If you're in Minnesota, you may want to connect with Brains Together for a Cure. Its mission is to promote awareness of brain tumors and the need for effective treatments. It offers support for research, information, resources and a local support group for survivors and their families. To learn more about Brains Together for a Cure, visit www.brainstogetherforacure.org  or email info@brainstogetherforacure.org.

The Sontag Foundation was started by the Sontag family in northeast Florida. They wanted to make a difference in the lives of those affected by brain cancer and rheumatoid arthritis through the power of medical research. The foundation provides funding to support community programs as well as research grants that help scientists make new discoveries for treating brain tumors and rheumatoid arthritis. The foundation offers a local support group for brain tumor patients and their families in Jacksonville. For more information, visit www.sontagfoundation.com.

Founded in 1973, the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) was the first national nonprofit organization dedicated solely to brain tumors. ABTA provides comprehensive resources that support the complex needs of brain tumor patients and caregivers. It provides vital funding of research to support the discovery of new breakthroughs in brain tumor diagnosis, treatment and care. Families of patients who are children and adolescents can find support through updates on the ABTA website (www.abta.org) as well as by calling their CareLine at 800-886-ABTA (2282) or emailing abtacares@abta.org.

Reprinted with permission from www.mayoclinic.org. Sheryl Ness is a nurse educator for the Cancer Education Program at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Follow her on Twitter at @SherylNess1.