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National Support Services

Across Australia, a range of national organisations provide support for people affected by brain cancer. These services offer counselling, practical assistance, financial guidance, peer connection and reliable information to help you navigate the challenges that can arise at any stage. Because brain cancer affects many parts of life, you may find it helpful to draw on support from more than one organisation. Whether you’re living with a brain tumour, caring for someone who is, or grieving a loss, these services can help you feel informed, supported and connected.

Peace of Mind Foundation

Every year, POMF supports over 1000 families across Australia, offering personalised, one on one supportive care programs and services from diagnosis through to bereavement. Peace of Mind Foundation provides support to patients and their families through key programs such as the National Advocacy Service (NAS), Community Brain Cancer Navigator program, counselling and financial aid and retreats and community events

The NAS focuses on providing patients and their care givers with navigation and support through complex systems, including the NDIS, Centrelink, aged care, palliative care and mental health support. The NAS has national reach, with phone, virtual and outreach support that explicitly targets regional, rural and remote communities where there are no local services.

www.peaceofmindfoundation.org.au

Mark Hughes Foundation

Mark Hughes Foundation

The Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) is a Non-Profit, Health Promotion Charity formed in Newcastle by Mark and Kirralee Hughes following Mark’s diagnosis with Brain Cancer in 2013. The Mark Hughes Foundation’s mission is to raise much-needed funds for research, to create awareness, and support brain cancer patients and their families. MHF host an annual Brian Cancer Patient forum in Newcastle as well as fund five Brain Care Coordinators in the Hunter New England and Mid North Coast Health districts.

MHF Funded support recourses include:

The  CarerWell website and program has been created by mental health professionals and researchers from the University of Newcastle and the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), with the support of an Innovation Grant from the Mark Hughes Foundation. CarerWell is for anyone supporting and helping someone with brain cancer. It is also for those who are caring for a friend or family member who may not be a close loved one. While various terms are used throughout the website and program, CarerWell recognises that each situation is unique.

The MHF Patient Pack is a symbol of hope, comfort and care for those diagnosed with brain cancer and their families. Each pack includes the Survivorship Diary, the Survivalist companion, meaningful MHF items, and valuable information to help patients navigate every stage of their journey with primary brain cancer.
We encourage all primary brain cancer patients or their carers to order this new invaluable resource via the MHF website.

 

The Survivorship Diary is a free resource for brain cancer patients and their families — designed for patients, by a patient. Reimagined and expanded, the resource is now two separate books. The diary combines practical daily support with the compassion and insight of someone who has lived the experience. Inside, you’ll find dedicated sections to record your medical team, treatment schedules, appointments, and questions. To accompany the Survivorship Diary, is the Survivalist — a comprehensive guide written with the insight of a patient and enriched by contributions from medical oncology teams, brain cancer care coordinators, surgical teams, researchers, carers, and families alike
 
 

The Robert Connor Dawes Foundation

Inspired by a big heart and brain, the Robert Connor Dawes Foundation was established in June 2013 in memory of Robert ‘Connor’ Dawes.
 
The Foundation is dedicated to improving outcomes for children diagnosed with brain tumours by investing in research, care and development initiatives. Its goal is to fund the science that will one day end brain cancer, while supporting children and families in the meantime. 
 
Music Therapy Program
The Robert Connor Dawes Foundation offers blocks of 10 free in-home or online music therapy sessions to children and young people aged 25 years and under across Australia, who have been diagnosed with a brain tumour. In some cases, where music therapy isn’t possible or appropriate, a Music Therapy Resource Grant is also available.
 
Music is more than just fun and relaxing; it can have a profound impact on the brain. Music therapy is an allied health profession that has been shown to improve speech and motor skills, boost mood, reduce anxiety, enhance quality of life and provide a safe outlet for young people to express their thoughts and feelings.
 
Non-invasive, uplifting and engaging, music therapy can help the heart sing and the mind heal.
 
To learn more or apply, please visit:   

www.rcdfoundation.org

The Brain Cancer Group

The Brain Cancer Group (TBCG) is committed to improving the care and outcomes for patients with brain cancer through research, education, and patient and carer support. TBCG ude education to drive awareness, share expertise, and increase access through educational programs, videos and webinars, and patient resources. They also directly support patients through a dedicated Nurse Practitioner.

www.braincancergroup.com.au

Canteen

Canteen

Canteen is an Australian not-for-profit cancer charity that provides free and tailored support to young people aged 12-25 who are impacted by cancer. Whether they are dealing with their own diagnosis, a close family member’s cancer or the death of a loved one, Canteen can provide connection, counselling, online support and resources.

www.canteen.org.au

Canteen

NeuroSurgical Research Foundation

The NeuroSurgical Research Foundation was established in 1963 to improve the treatment and care of adults and children affected by neurosurgical conditions including brain tumour/cancer, stroke, neurodegeneration, and brain and spinal cord injury.

As a not-for-profit charity the NRF funds vital research and equipment to improve patient outcomes and quality of life, raises awareness of these conditions, and supports patients and families by providing resources and information on accessing services and support, especially for brain tumour patients.

For key Support Services listing for people with a Brain Tumour in SA visit  https://www.nrf.com.au/brain-tumour-info

The NRF also supports the Adelaide Brain Tumour Support Group. Please see our Facebook page: Adelaide Brain Tumour Support.

 

Canteen

Brainwave Australia

Brainwave Australia has been supporting children and young people with brain conditions, and their families, since 1994. We support more than 1,000 families across Australia through family support, equipment and therapy funding, wellbeing programs, events, camps, and peer connection opportunities.
 
We take a whole-of-family approach, recognising that when parents, carers and siblings are supported, children and young people are better able to thrive. Brainwave supports families living with a wide range of neurological and brain conditions, including acquired brain injury, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, stroke, brain tumours, and other neurological diagnoses.
 
Our vision is for every family to have access to the support, resources, and connections they need to navigate the challenges of a childhood brain condition.
 
Quest for Life Foundation

Quest for Life Foundation

Quest for Life Foundation provides practical, compassionate support for people living with cancer and serious illness, including brain tumour patients as well as support for carers and families. Through residential programs, workshops and online wellbeing resources, Quest offers evidence-informed tools to help people build resilience, manage stress, navigate grief and uncertainty and reconnect with peace of mind during life’s most challenging times.

Quest for Life also provide access to a number of wellness education podcasts by Petrea King and Brigit Busicchia that focus on topics that include grief, life’s challenges, relationships, pain, trauma, and wellbeing. These can be accessed here.