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. |
Heavenly Mimi is a non-profit
organization dedicated to those in need during their cancer
journey. Heavenly Mimi is committed to providing financial
assistance and empowerment to anyone going through this
challenge in their life. Apply for assistance here. |
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 loved 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 |
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. |
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. |
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 & Life is the only magazine focused on the intersection of neurologic
disease and brain health. The magazine is published six times
per year and mailed free to interested individuals. Register for
your free subscription 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 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. Notice
from FitSTEPS as of 07/02/20: The health and welfare of our
patients and team members is paramount. Due to the recent and
rapid increase of COVID-19, the closure of our FitSteps for Life
centers will be extended indefinitely. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) - |
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. |
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. |
Also be sure to check out the Our
Impact portion of the website
to learn more about their research funding. |
Join us for Head
to the Hill 2020, learn about the Head to the Hill
Scholarship Fund and Research through the Department of Defense
(PRCRP). |
You can also register for free online Brain Tumor
Support Conversations. These online support group conversations
are held on the third Sunday of each month at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT. You
can sign up to join the conversations here. |
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. |
The UT Southwestern Medical Center - Harrold C.
Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center offers Young
Adult Cancer Support. Visit their website to learn
more about participating in upcoming support groups. |
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. |