BrainWAVE Parent Support Group Launched

Nicolas Fischer

BrainWAVE may have been created for the children and teenagers who are personally affected by a brain tumour, but they aren’t the only ones who value the program. Each year, six events are organized to remind these youth that they aren’t alone in their struggles. A trip to the zoo or a night out at a hockey game is the perfect escape from the realities of treatment and medical appointments, but these fun getaways are also beneficial for the rest of the family.

BrainWAVE outings let parents and siblings of a child or teen with a brain tumour to join together with others who can relate. At these events, caregivers embraced the opportunity to consult with those who were in a similar situation, but the informal chat sessions did not satisfy their needs; they wanted a more structured format for support. A survey was distributed to BrainWAVE families to determine how high the interest level was. The survey results verified the demand and the BrainWAVE Parent Support Group was underway.

A strong desire to stay connected outside of events led to the development of the group. Dianne Fischer, mother of fourteen year-old brain tumour survivor Nicolas, explains that the group was a long time coming: "We didn’t know where to turn as parents with so many questions that needing answering." Dianne describes her role at the meetings as someone who, "is there for a hug or a talk or whatever people need." She, along with all the other parents in the BrainWAVE Parent Support Group, understands how the impact of a brain tumour extends far beyond the child or teen that has been diagnosed.