Support Organisations

BrainLink Services is a Victorian based service that is dedicated to improving the quality of life of people affected by Acquired Brain Injury (ABI).  We provide resources and information about services to people with Acquired Brain Injury, including people with brain tumours. BrainLink’s first priority is to respond to the immediate needs of the families and friends of those who are living with an acquired brain disorder. We have a Community Liaison Officer in the Neurosurgery Departments of both Royal Melbourne and Monash Hospitals.

Brainwave was established in 1994 to support families and children with brain injuries and illnesses in order to adapt and thrive. Brainwave supports 1000+ families nationally, including guidance through initial diagnosis, equipment and therapy funding, and events and camps for the whole family. We focus on the whole family with a holistic approach, to ensure they are well-supported in the community, well-linked, and well-resourced. We support children with varying neurological conditions, including acquired brain injuries, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and many more.
Our vision is to ensure that all families have the best access to resources and support so they can bounce back when adversity strikes.

Phone 1300 766 819 or contact

Cabrini Health runs a support group for anyone living with brain cancer, their friends and families.
Our group is facilitated by experienced Cabrini health professionals. This will include our neuro-oncology nurse coordinators and other specialist staff appropriate to the topic on the day.

Our topics covered vary each month and our group participants are involved with topic suggestions.
This group meets on the last Wednesday of each month from 10 am - 12 pm in the Wellness Centre at Cabrini Malvern.
You do not need to be a Cabrini patient to attend this group.
 

Grey Matters is support group for those living with a brain tumour, their family and friends. Grey Matters is affiliated with Cancer Council Victoria and associated with Melbourne Hospitals (including Royal Melbourne and The Austin). Meets 3rd Monday of the month at the Carlton North Library at 7pm for 7:30pm. Contact Janet - 0422 639 993.

info@greymatters.org.au

Kathy Vickers is the Cancer Care Coordinator for the CNS tumour stream at Hume RICS: 107Hume Street, Wodonga, Vic 3690. Tel 02 6057 5206.

Peace of Mind Foundation (POMF) was created to give support, courage, and community to brain cancer patients, carers, and their loved ones. Peace of Mind provides printed resources, financial aid grants, funded counselling, support groups, retreats, and community events for patients and families across Australia. They also run the National Advocacy Service assisting hundreds of families annually in accessing government-funded programs such as the NDIS, Centrelink payments, My Aged Care, etc.  

National Advocacy Service: https://www.btaa.org.au/support-organisations/national-advocacy-service

Peace of Mind operates the following support services:

• Online Patient Group
• Online Carer Group
• Face-to-Face Gold Coast Group
• Bereaved Face-to-Face Geelong Group

All attendees should register via the online system.

https://www.peaceofmindfoundation.org.au/counselling-support-patient-care

Contact details:

There is also a shared brain tumour care coordinator at Royal Melbourne Hospital.

The Brain Tumour Support Service is based at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre.

Austin Health provides a range of services to people affected by the diagnosis of a primary brain tumour including a monthly support group, information/education programs, individual support appointments and support for carers.

The Brain Tumour Support Group is held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month 11am-1pm at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre, Level 3, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg. Contact person is Dianne Legge (Brain Tumour Support Coordinator) 9496 3315 or btso@austin.org.au

The Brain Tumour Support Service is open to anyone affected by the diagnosis of primary malignant brain tumour:

patient, carer, family, friend & does not need to be a patient of the ONJ Centre or Austin Health.

Anyone can attend, as long as they can get there.

Wellness & Supportive Care email contact wellness@austin.org.au