BrainWAVE Program Launched in British Columbia

Jacqueline Huff understands the challenges that parents face when a child is diagnosed with a brain tumour. Her son, Quinlan, was only seven years old when she and her husband Peter first noticed personality and behavioural changes. "It can be very frightening and children with pediatric brain tumours have very specific needs that can’t be ignored," Jacqueline shares openly. "The late effects of treatment and falling behind in school — these challenges are all very real."

For the past six months, Jacqueline Huff and Kathy Thornton have worked collaboratively with Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada to develop the BrainWAVE Lower Mainland program. The two-stream support and event program is designed for brain tumour patients and survivors under the age of 20 and their immediate family members.

"It is very difficult, not just for the child, but also their siblings and parents when a loved one is coping with a brain tumour," Kathy, a brain tumour survivor, explains. "A program like this has never happened out here, but just knowing a support network exists can be tremendously beneficial for families."

The first gathering for BrainWAVE Lower Mainland took place on Saturday, October 25 at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia. Mike Fluit, Support Services Manager at Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada was in the area for the big launch. "We were thrilled with the turnout for the first event. It simply reinforces that fact that there is a need for families affected by a child’s diagnosis with a brain tumour to connect and get support from one another," he says enthusiastically. "We are excited to move forward with this program."

Jacqueline and Kathy believe that establishing these connections will bring some relief for the families that have been affected. "You often struggle with what is the best thing to do, often second-guessing your decisions and wishing you had another parent to talk to," Jacqueline recounts. "This program serves as an outlet where concerns can be expressed, but it also allows the kids to get together and enjoy themselves with other youth who can relate."