BrainWAVE NIAGARA FALLS ADVENTURE

All BrainWAVE Children and Teens and their immediate family members are invited to join in the adventure! Meet the hundreds of different colourful butterflies at the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory. Then, hop on the BrainWAVE bus to enjoy a ride on the Maid of the Mist where we will get as close as possible to Niagara Falls and experience its power first-hand!

The adventure takes place, rain or shine on Saturday, June 13, 2009, from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm! BrainWAVE is a free and fun support program for children and teens, and their families, who are affected by a brain tumour.

To register or for more information contact Megan Winkler at 1-800-265-5106, ext. 230 or by email at mwinkler@braintumour.ca. Please let us know the names and ages of the family members attending.

KITCHENER WOMAN'S 20-YEAR JOURNEY OF SUPPORT
Mother’s Journey of Providing Support to Brain Tumour Survivors and Caregivers

When a person finds themselves or a loved one facing a life-altering medical diagnosis, receiving ongoing support is one of the most important ways of coping. For Marj Brezina this lesson became all the more important when, in 1985, her 13-year-old son was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Because of this life changing journey with her son, Marj became the first facilitator of Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada’s support group in Kitchener-Waterloo, ON. Now, more than 20 years later, Marj continues to lead the thriving group that provides hope and support to countless individuals dealing with a brain tumour diagnosis.

A unique social network, the support group is an essential way for survivors of brain tumours and their caregivers to reduce feelings of isolation. "One of the most rewarding and important parts of our group is helping new members realize they are not alone," says Marj. When caring for her son during his illness, Marj notes she did not have a lot of support in her own city and so she truly appreciates that importance of being there now for others.

Providing reassurance, coping with anxiety and fear and reinforcing a positive, hopeful attitude are all part of the cradle of support. "Hearing others’ stories, learning from their experiences and sometimes sharing a few laughs is why we come together every month," Marj explains. Certainly, the ever-changing and growing group takes hope and inspiration from her own personal story – Marj’s son is now grown, married and the father to three children.

A generous soul to her core, Marj has spent more than 35 years volunteering in her community. She explains her open and generous spirit: "Giving your time is very special, especially when you are providing hope and showing support for others. In these circumstances, the most unique and special relationships form." Her incredible compassion and commitment to the Kitchener-Waterloo support group members continuously shines with her friendly phone calls and visits. She intends to simply keep going. In addition to the time spent with the support group, Marj is also now working to raise awareness of childhood brain tumours by educating teachers about the signs and symptoms.

Kitchener-Waterloo Support Group
Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada’s Kitchener-Waterloo, ON support group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, at Christ Lutheran Church, 445 Anndale Road, Waterloo. The next meeting is scheduled for June 9, 2009. For more information, contact Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada at 1-800-265-5106.

To learn more about Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada's national network of 22 support groups, and to find a group in your area, please visit our "Get Support" section of our website. You are also welcome to speak with our Support Services team at 1-800-265-5106.