August e-News

 
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Welcome to the Brain Tumour Alliance Australia (BTAA) e-News
(August 2018)


Our August's e-News includes some good brain tumour funding news from the Federal Government, a new booklet from the UK, from brain tumour patients writing about their journey (we are planning one with a distinctly Australian flavour); a reminder about the Womens Retreat; details about hearing the Carer’s story; and a bit of important trivia.
 

Great news from the Federal Government

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was in Melbourne recently to announce $5 million for the Zero Childhood Cancer trial.

"These children, which we estimate is around 50 kids a year, will have the opportunity to have a detailed analysis done of their unique brain cancer cells to identify the treatments that are most likely to kill their specific cancer," Mr Turnbull said in his announcement.

"It is the precise genetic targeting of the particular cancers in the particular patient that enables (it) to make sure the treatment is the key."

Read more...

Losing Myself

A major publication from the UK based Brain Tumour Charity. In the coming months we are planning a similar undertaking. If you would like to participate in this project simply click the button below and we'll make contact with you.

I'd like to be involved in the project

Download the Booklet

All.Can survey

The International Brain Tumour Alliance (IBTA) has requested we pass on this survey that you may like to participate in. This survey is about trying to find ways to improve patients’ experience of cancer care. 
The survey finishes in October.
Take the survey

Missing School?

MORE THAN 60,000 KIDS IN AUSTRALIA MISS SCHOOL BECAUSE OF SERIOUS ILLNESS OR INJURY

MissingSchool is about keeping seriously sick kids connected to their regular schools and getting their special learning and social needs met through everyday practices. This resource may help you if your child is missing out on school.

View their website

A reminder about the Women's Retreat

There are still a few tickets left.

Come and join us in October, for our 3rd annual Women’s Retreat for Brain Cancer.

Marcella Zemanek will be joining us as one of our Guest Speakers. 
Having cared for her husband Stan Zemanek, (who tragically lost his battle with brain cancer 11 years ago) and enduring her own struggles with breast cancer, Marcella is no stranger to the fortitude required to face true adversity. 

Since her husband’s death, Marcella has taken on the role of Community and Ambassador Manager for the Charlie Teo Foundation and is relentless in her mission to raise awareness and much needed funding for brain cancer research. 

On the weekend of our Women’s Retreat, Marcella will be celebrating her 73rd Birthday! 
We are so fortunate she has chosen to share both her birthday and experiences with us, for an indulgent weekend escape from reality. 

If you’d like to join us, feel inspired and make new friends, book your tickets here:

Important things to note:
- onsite nurses and counsellor
- twinshare accommodation (you can bring a female family member or friend if you wish)
- free pick up and drop off service from all major Melbourne airports
- fully refundable tickets if cancelling for medical reasons
- only 60 spots available


 

 
Bringing Genomic Cancer medicine home
The Australian Genomic Cancer Medicine Program has today received Australian Government funding to roll out across the country an innovative clinical trial developed at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. The program matches therapies to individuals with rare and uncommon cancers on the basis of their unique genetic information.
 
Read More...

COGNO Scientific Meeting 7-9 October
11th COGNO Annual Scientific Meeting, “Targeting survival: living well with brain cancer in the era of precision treatments”

Sunday 7th October – Tuesday 9th October 2018, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Queensland

Brain tumours are particularly challenging because they can affect a patient in many different and complex ways. This mandates a multi-disciplinary approach to care and the broad expertise of the Meeting’s invited speakers reflects this.  International Guest Speaker, Dr Terri Armstrong, is sponsored by the Brain Tumour Alliance Australia and the Mark Hughes Foundation.  A senior investigator at the Neuro-Oncology Branch at the National Institute for Health and also the immediate past Vice President of the Society for Neuro-Oncology, Dr Armstrong will give one of the opening plenaries in Session 1 (Opening Plenaries 1-3) on Monday 8th October, and also speak in Session 6 (Survivorship and Supportive Therapies) on Tuesday 9th October.

Further information is available on the Meeting website
Details here

The Carer's story
We would like to hear from those wonderful, remarkable people who are sometimes forgotten within the maelstrom of any sickness, disease, or illness, the Carer. It could be any of us and all of us. It doesn't stop. The brain tumour patient goes through the process of trying to survive, recover, and otherwise just cope, meanwhile the Carer, that significant other in our lives, is left to sweep up, take calls, make calls, make appointments, worry, stress, sign this, sign that, shop, cook dinner, clean up, drive everywhere, explain things to people, make allowances. They are the heroes.

If you are a Carer and feel you have a story to tell, we'd love to hear from you. These are untold stories of love that deserve to be told. If you would like to tell your story, from your perspective, then let us know.
If you would like to contribute can you answer the following survey question so that we can provide you with some guidelines for your story?
 

More than a bit of Trivia
A bit of advance notice about a fun night for everyone in Brisbane, hosted by one of our great supporters. 
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DISCLAIMER*: The material provided in this e-newsletter and on our website is general in nature. It is made available on the understanding that BTAA is not engaged in rendering professional or medical advice. Before relying on the material users should carefully evaluate its currency, completeness and relevance for their purposes, and should always obtain appropriate medical advice relevant to their particular circumstances.

Copyright © 2018 Brain Tumour Alliance Australia (BTAA), All rights reserved.
 

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