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Michigan Support Groups

Support Group for Brain Cancer Patients and Caregivers

The Gary Lichtenstein Memorial Grant

University of Michigan, NeuroOncology Brain Cancer Support Group

Larry Junck, MD, Professor of Neurology and Director, NeuroOncology Program

The Brain Cancer Support Group at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center includes, among other things, a retreat for current and new patient and caregiver participants and will aaawatchesreplica provide FREE informational and participatory sessions on several topics relevant to living with and providing care for those with brain tumors. Click here to see our flyer.

Meeting information

Location: University of Michigan Cancer Center-Level One
Dates: Third Tuesday of every month
Times: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
For more information or to register, contact: RNs Mary Delisle or Kathie Wilson at (734) 647-8906

Upcoming Special Events

Please check back soon for future events

Past Special Events

June 2010: In place of meeting, Third Tuesday, 6-8 PM Potluck picnic at nearby park/shelter

January 2010: “Cope and Hope” Retreat

December 2009: Second Tuesday of the month, 6-8 PM holiday party

November 2009: Murder Mystery Dinner

Update, 2010
Thank You Letter

February 15, 2010

Mario Lichtenstein
President, Voices Against Brain Cancer

Dear Mr. Lichtenstein:

I want to thank you and Voices Against Brain Cancer (VABC) for your support of special events for our Brain Tumor Support Group in the 2009-10 year. The grant from VABC has allowed our Brain Tumor Support Group nurses to provide care and support to our patients and their caregivers that goes beyond the physical treatment of their disease.

Thanks to you and VABC, we were recently able to provide an all-day retreat focusing on education, hope and coping tips for our patients and their families. Additionally, we were able to host a holiday gathering for families and a social outing away from the institutional hospital setting (dinner with murder mystery). These events were especially important to our many patients who are financially challenged, usually because the patient is disabled and the spouse has to serve as primary breadwinner and as well as caregiver. I have personally attended all of these click this over here now events and saw the enjoyment of our new and returning participants in the Brain Tumor Support Group. These activities, beyond our monthly meetings, have been an excellent opportunity for our patients to get to know each other better and appreciate that life can be good, even with the anxieties and disabilities that come with a serious brain tumor.

At the murder mystery dinner outing, one of our patients, a man in his 40s who probably has no more than a few months to live, was one of several participants chosen to go on stage and act out a part. His craniotomy scar was readily apparent to all. Despite some ongoing language disturbance (aphasia), he was able to say his lines with aplomb. I think he was quite thrilled when he turned out to be the murderer! I know this outing allowed this patient to feel “normal”, even for an hour, which was one of the goals of this event. This patient reminds me of the many VABC Courage Award recipients you profile on your website and recognize at your annual event.

Our nurses and social workers have put together excellent programs and have been good stewards of the funds you provided.

I hope you will pass on our gratitude, expressed on behalf of my team and many of our patients, for VABC’s generosity in making these events possible. Thank you for the work you do for brain tumor patients and their families around the country.

Best wishes with your continuing mission. I hope to meet you sometime.

Sincerely,
Larry Junck, M.D.
Professor of Neurology
Head, Neuro-oncology Program, University of Michigan