All too often, individuals startled by the diagnosis of a brain tumour feel overwhelmed and struggle to find the good that can come out of a seemingly dire situation. The reaction is natural and in many cases, inevitable, but all it takes is a simple change in attitude to drastically alter one’s perspective. Or as Danielle Griffiths explains, "to take a negative experience and make it a positive one."

That is exactly what she did after her now-husband Jay was diagnosed in January of last year. At the time, he was just shy of thirty years old and the young couple had difficulty coping with the uncertainty they knew was ahead. It wasn’t until after Jay’s surgery that the couple learned about Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. Jay’s neurosurgeon, Dr. Joseph Megyesi, who is also the Chair of the organization’s Board of Directors, provided them with a Patient Resource Handbook.

Danielle decided to take her hopeful outlook one step further and become involved with Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. In the summer of last year, she began volunteering her time to help with foundation research and grant applications. "I look for individuals and companies and try to match their donor interests with projects we’re looking to fund," Danielle describes. She admits the task of contacting these potential donors was daunting at first, but over the past year and a half, she has become more comfortable with the calls.

Danielle has also assisted with registration and set up for the London Brain Tumour Information Day Conference and helped at different awareness events within the community. "Doing this work helps me as much as it helps others," she adds. "It reminds us that we’re not alone and it gives us a sense of empowerment."

Her outgoing personality and willingness to help has certainly made Danielle deserving of this feature as the Volunteer Profile of the Month for December. Thank you for your outstanding commitment!