LivingWell invites any brain tumor patient and their family to join and
learn more about the disease while receiving nurturing support from
fellow patients.
Although general support groups for cancer patients now exist in many
communities and hospitals, there are only two or three dedicated
exclusively to brain tumor patients in the entire Chicagoland area. One
of them, "The Brainiacs," who meet at the Living Well Cancer Resource Center in
Geneva, is celebrating its 20th year this October by inviting any
brain-tumor patient and their family to join and learn more about the
disease while receiving nurturing support from fellow patients and
experts in the field of brain tumors.
"Many people with brain tumors and their family members feel helpless and confused because the disease is unknown to them,” said Steve Hazard, co-facilitator of the Brainiacs. "To make matters worse, brain tumors can produce profound neurological deficits that make them unlike any other cancer. But when treating a brain tumor, knowledge is power so attending a support group where you can talk with others who suffer from the exact same disease can be a tremendous benefit."
Members of the group echo Hazard's comments saying a support group dedicated exclusively to brain-tumor patients offers a much more comforting and nurturing environment than a general cancer support group.
"There is no doubt that being able to talk with people who have the same problem is the best non-medical medicine," said Gary Mack, whose wife Rena succumbed to a brain tumor last year. "The information we received was invaluable, and the support even better. They just understood. They got it because they know brain tumors are different."
Recent statistics show that more than 10,000 people die each year from malignant brain tumors in the U.S. and the number is growing. But, because it is small compared to other cancers, research dollars have been scarce.
The Brain Tumor support group which meets at the Living Well Cancer Center in Geneva, has hosted numerous guest speakers and lecturers over the years including, neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, proton beam therapy physicians, chemotherapy experts and many other brain related medical and scientific authorities.
Hazard credited his co-facilitator, Deb Brunelle, RN with launching the "Brainiacs" two decades ago and with keeping the group strong. "Deb has been a tireless worker who has a heart for the difficulties that brain-tumor patients face," Hazard said. "It has been through her hard work that we have learned much about this dreadful disease and we are grateful to her for that."
The Living Well Cancer resource Center is located at 1803 W. State Street, Geneva Il, 60134 (630-262-1111). The Brain Tumor Support Group meets there the first and third Wednesday of each month from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The Oct. 5 meeting will be a dinner and reception hosted at Oscar Swan restaurant directly across from the Living Well Center. Any brain tumor patient and their family members and caregivers are invited to attend meetings.
"Many people with brain tumors and their family members feel helpless and confused because the disease is unknown to them,” said Steve Hazard, co-facilitator of the Brainiacs. "To make matters worse, brain tumors can produce profound neurological deficits that make them unlike any other cancer. But when treating a brain tumor, knowledge is power so attending a support group where you can talk with others who suffer from the exact same disease can be a tremendous benefit."
Members of the group echo Hazard's comments saying a support group dedicated exclusively to brain-tumor patients offers a much more comforting and nurturing environment than a general cancer support group.
"There is no doubt that being able to talk with people who have the same problem is the best non-medical medicine," said Gary Mack, whose wife Rena succumbed to a brain tumor last year. "The information we received was invaluable, and the support even better. They just understood. They got it because they know brain tumors are different."
Recent statistics show that more than 10,000 people die each year from malignant brain tumors in the U.S. and the number is growing. But, because it is small compared to other cancers, research dollars have been scarce.
The Brain Tumor support group which meets at the Living Well Cancer Center in Geneva, has hosted numerous guest speakers and lecturers over the years including, neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, proton beam therapy physicians, chemotherapy experts and many other brain related medical and scientific authorities.
Hazard credited his co-facilitator, Deb Brunelle, RN with launching the "Brainiacs" two decades ago and with keeping the group strong. "Deb has been a tireless worker who has a heart for the difficulties that brain-tumor patients face," Hazard said. "It has been through her hard work that we have learned much about this dreadful disease and we are grateful to her for that."
The Living Well Cancer resource Center is located at 1803 W. State Street, Geneva Il, 60134 (630-262-1111). The Brain Tumor Support Group meets there the first and third Wednesday of each month from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The Oct. 5 meeting will be a dinner and reception hosted at Oscar Swan restaurant directly across from the Living Well Center. Any brain tumor patient and their family members and caregivers are invited to attend meetings.
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