Resources

Learn more about us 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.

Online Resources

Please be sure to follow our Grey Matters Facebook page for regularly posted news.

“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.

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.

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 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.

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 with Cancer Foundation For Life® at Janna@FitStepsforLife.org or (214) 535-6273.

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.

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.

National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) - 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. 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.

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.

Novocure is developing a new way to treat solid brain tumors. Novocure is available to assit 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.

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.

Reel Recovery is a national non-profit organization that conducts free fly-fishing retreats for men living with all forms of cancer.

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.

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” (9^th edition, 11/24/2014).

In the News

Cleveland Clinic, Parker Hannifin create catheter to treat brain tumors (By Julie Washington, The Plain Dealer, August 17, 2018). Read more here.

ScienceDaily (12/14/2014) - "Neuro-oncologists discover cancer cells can burn acetate for fuel"

UCSF News (4/17/2012) - "Brain Cancer Vaccine Proves Effective"

The Wall Street Journal (8/31/2010) - “The Jewelry Prescription” reminds us of the importance of wearing a medical-alert bracelet. There are trendy new designs available now that could save your life.

UCLA News (8/02/2010) - "New diagnostic chip able to generate single-cell
molecular 'fingerprints' for brain tumors"

UCLA News (7/23/2010) - "Irradiating brain's stem cell niche doubles survival time for
patients with brain cancers"

Other Resources

Brain Tumor Talk

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.

Cure Magazine

Cure magazine is a free quarterly magazine for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. Sign up for your subscription here.

The Five Wishes Booklet

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