Resources
Learn more about Grey Matters by reading "The heartwarming story behind Grey Matters, North Texas's only brain tumor support group," written by Vaibhavi Hemasundar and published by planoprofile.com on June 28, 2018.
Please be sure to follow our
Grey Matters
Facebook page for regularly posted news.
Financial & Legal Resources
Glenn Garcelon Foundation
- If you have a primary brain tumor (or know
someone who does) and need financial assistance, we are here to help.
Please click here for the Grant
Application.
Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research & Information offers brain
tumor treatment co-payment assistance program.
The organization can help you with your out of pocket expenses up to
$5,000 per year for the treatments covered by this program.
PRS Insurance Solutions - PRS
specializes in senior market products and services and is recognized
nationwide for its constant commitment to senior services. Though
service is sometimes lost in the sea of advanced technology, PRS has
kept old-fashioned values close at heart. We’re client-friendly, and we
promise one-on-one service. Contact Pamela Randall at (214) 415-9909.
The
Five Wishes booklet is an
easy-to-use legal document that lets you plan in advance for how you
want to be cared for in the event that you become seriously ill. It is
an "advance directive" because when you complete Five Wishes you
give direction to your physician and family, in advance, on how you want
to be treated.
The booklet deals with all of a person's needs: medical, personal,
emotional and spiritual, and encourages discussion of your wishes with
your loves ones and physician. You can preview a sample or order the
booklet from
Aging with Dignity.
Local North Texas assistance with navigating
health insurance options
Collin County Adult Clinic
- Plano
Collin County Indigent Health
Care – McKinney
Community Lifeline Center
- McKinney
The Samaritan Inn -
McKinney
Online Resources
AARP Livable Communities – HomeFit Guide - Smart
solutions for making your home comfortable, safe, and a great fit.
Aging in Place -
Visit this free resources or
the community forum and read about others' experiences in managing care
for a loved one or planning for their own future needs.
“A Matter of Balance” is
an award-winning workshop to help participants reduce their fear of
falling and improve stability of balance. The course meets weekly for 8
consecutive weeks, and each session lasts 2 hours. Participants must
attend at least five of the eight classes to graduate. Registration is
required and seating is limited. The free classes are held at Texas
Health Plano’s Rehabilitation Center.
For more information, please visit here or
call (877) 847-9355.
American
Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) covers
topics such as treatment options, navigating and understanding the
spectrum of care options, support, resources, and information for
caregivers.
American
Cancer Society is
dedicated to helping persons who face cancer.
The organization supports research, patient services, early detection,
treatment, and education.
American
Psychosocial Oncology Society
Area Agency on Aging of North Central Texas is
a program of the North Central Texas Council of Governments. The agency
serves adults age 60 and older and their family caregivers to create and
maintain a coordinated network of health and social services. It
provides services and resources that help older adults maximize their
quality of life and live as independently as possible.
The
Association for Molecular Pathology
Association
of Clinicians for the Underserved
Association
of Oncology Social Work
Bec N Call
Services can
help you juggle all your worlds, such as pet and house sitting, airport
and medical transportation, notary and errand services.
Black Women’s
Health Imperative
The Bluebonnet
Retreat offers,
at no charge, a unique experience for adult cancer patients. During the
three-day, two-night camp, attendees are provided a creative,
educational atmosphere of support with a focus on wellness. The retreat
is a special project of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital
Hurst-Euless-Bedford and is funded through donations. Ambulatory adults
age 18 or older who have been diagnosed with cancer within the past five
years are invited to attend. More information can be found here.
Brain Tumor Alliance (formerly
Miles for Hope) aims to raise awareness and funds for brain cancer
research while helping those suffering with a brain tumor have a better
quality of life.
Miles for Hope has created a live talk show called Brain
Tumor Talk.
Each show features a physician from across the U.S. who provides
information regarding their facility, new information, and general
advice and support for the current show topic.
CancerCare’s Connect Education®
Workshops are
free and a way for people to learn about cancer-related issues from the
convenience of their home or office. Leading experts in oncology provide
the most up-to-date information on the telephone and online. You can
listen to this workshop on the telephone or via live streaming through
the Internet. Participation is free. Register by calling 1-800-813-HOPE
(4673) or online at www.cancercare.org/connect.
After you have registered, you will receive additional information. You
may also listen to previous workshops on the CancerCare website
by logging on to www.cancercare.org/podcasts.
Cancer.Net is
doctor-approved patient information from the American Society of
Clinical Oncology.
Cancer Patient Education Network
Cancer Support Community of North Texas provides
a free monthly newsletter with helpful information. Learn more and
subscribe to their mailing list by visiting http://cancersupporttexas.org/.
CaringBridge provides
free, personalized websites that support and connect love ones during
critical illness, treatment, and recovery. Build your own page to keep
friends and family up to date on your treatment and recovery.
Choose
Hope offers
a full line of cancer awareness products and cancer gifts available in
all acknowledged cancer colors, including grey for brain cancer. You can
feel good about purchasing from Choose Hope; every month the company
makes a donation to fund cancer research and the cancer community.
Cure magazine
is a free quarterly magazine for cancer patients, survivors, and
caregivers. Sign up for your subscription here.
Participants in any of eight support assistance
programs (CHIP, TANF, CEAP, SNAP, Housing Choice Vouchers, Medicaid,
Medicare, Texas WIC) now qualify for
Dallas Area Rapid Transit's (DART) Discount GoPass® Tap Card
for riding public transit at half the fare. More information is
available at
dart.org/TapForHalf or by calling DART Customer Service at
214-979-1111.
The DIYmodify
App is
a free application (app) designed for people with disability, and
seniors, to do their own Home Modification. Many people find themselves
wanting or needing to modify their home but uncertain how or whether to
proceed.
The Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center Support Services has provided the following resources:
FitSTEPS for Life® is
an “individualized exercise and nutrition program designed to improve
the physical and mental functioning, quality of life, and survival of
people living with cancer.” For more information, contact Janna Harris
at Janna@FitStepsforLife.org or
(214) 535-6273.
Friends Place Adult Day Services is
dedicated to providing specialized daytime care and programs for
individuals with Alzheimer’s or other dementias; which will enable them
to maintain a life with dignity, meaning & purpose, while remaining as
independent as possible.
Head for the Cure Foundation (HFTC) aims to
raise awareness and funding to inspire hope for the community of brain
cancer patients, their families, friends, caregivers and other
supporters, while celebrating their courage, spirit, and energy. Please
view this video from
Head for the Cure that features Dr. Maher.
International Brain Tumour Alliance (IBTA) includes
information on the latest research and treatment options. Subscribe to
their mailing list in order to receive a free copy of the IBTA
magazine, Brain Tumour (published once a year), and a free copy
of the monthly IBTA e-newsletter.
The International
Low Grade Glioma (LGG) Registry is
an effort to build a comprehensive knowledge base about LGG that may
ultimately shape standards of care and inform better treatments. The
registry is open to anyone with a current or prior diagnosis of low
grade glioma.
Jewish
Family Service of Greater Dallas (JFS) provides
services including career and employment, mental health/counseling,
emergency assistance, services for the disabled/elderly, services for
children and teens, and family violence intervention. JFS serves all
regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or the ability to pay. Learn
more here or
call (972) 437-9950. Grey Matters was pleased to welcome JFS to speak at
our June 2019 meeting.
Joe’s
House – a Lodging Guide for Cancer Patients
Legacy Brain Foundation (LBF) is
a nonprofit organization founded in 2006 to provide direct support to
brain and spinal cord tumor patients and their families in dealing with
medical, emotional, practical, and spiritual issues associated with the
illness.
MetaCancer
Foundation –
a community of survivors and caregivers
Moncrief Cancer Institute of
UT Southwestern provides cancer patients the tools they need to survive
– and thrive – mentally, physically and emotionally.
Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
National Association of Social Workers
National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) -
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Sign up to receive brain tumor news under "Stay Connected" at the bottom of the homepage. Be sure to sign up for the annual Dallas-Ft. Worth Brain Tumor Walk.
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You may also read a letter written to the U.S. House of Representatives to ask that reforms be preserved as our Congress considers policy changes to the Affordable Care Act and public health insurance programs here.
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Critical principles such as no denial of coverage due to pre-existing conditions, no lifetime or annual limits on coverage, and no cancellation of coverage is crucial for brain tumor patients and their families. Visit the Advocates in Action portion of the NBTS website where you can let your voice be heard and take action on critical issues affecting the brain tumor community today.
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Also be sure to check out the Our Impact portion of the website to learn more about their research funding.
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National
Center for Frontier Communities
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
NeedyMeds is
a national non-profit organization that maintains a website of free
information on programs that help people who can't afford medications
and healthcare costs.
Neurological Cancer Q&A from Cancer
Treatment Centers of America
Neuro-Oncology Blood-Brain Barrier Program provides
information for treating brain tumors at OSHU School of Medicine.
North
Central Texas Aging & Disability Resource Center is
your link to federal, state, and local services.
Novocure is
developing a new way to treat solid brain tumors. Novocure is available
to assist anyone, with or without an Optune device, with support
or educational needs. For
more information, please contact Renae Adams, BSN, RN, Thought Leader
Liaison, Southwest Region, at radams@novocure.com.
Reel
Recovery is
a national non-profit organization that conducts free fly-fishing
retreats for men living with all forms of cancer.
The Research
Advocacy Network advances
patient-focused cancer research by fostering interaction among
advocates, researchers and related organizations. It is the only
nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing cancer research through
advocacy.
The Scott
Hamilton CARES Foundation,
established as a national identity in 2014, is dedicated to changing the
future of cancer by funding advanced, innovative research that treats
the cancer while sparing the patient.
Texas Center for Proton Therapy -
The Texas Center for Proton Therapy provides innovative proton therapy
to cancer patients in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, nearby states,
and across the country. Grey Matters had the opportunity to tour the
facility during one of our meetings. You may read the notes about our
visit here.
Texas
Health Resources -
Information and registration for the Bluebonnet Retreat can be
found here.
Texas Health Resources also offers classes. Be sure to check out A
MATTER OF BALANCE, an award-winning program designed to manage falls
and increase activity levels. More information about this free class can
be found here.
Universal Design Resource focuses
on practical, how-to information for you and your home.
UT Southwestern Medical Center
will be posting to its website every Friday a video series
hosted by Dr. John Warner, Executive Vice President for Health System
Affairs, and featuring UT Southwestern specialists from the front lines
of the fight against COVID-19. The videos will be archived on the site
so that you may view them at your leisure. The next one will be posted
on Friday, Aug. 21. View them at
https://utswmed.org/whattoknow/.
www.VirtualTrials.com -
Clinical trials and noteworthy treatments for brain tumors presented by
the Musella Foundation for brain tumor research and information. Subscribe to
receive updates. You can also download or order a free copy of “Brain
Tumor Guide for the Newly Diagnosed” (9th edition,
11/24/2014).
Vital Options International has
expanded its mission to become a global health foundation focused on
supporting the financial needs of patients and giving patients a voice.