Getting the best, most up-to-date information is critical for making informed decisions about treatment and living with the best quality of life possible. NBTS provides educational programs on topics ranging from new patient orientation to the latest clinical trial drugs to survivorship issues. You can download presentations from national experts and listen from your home or office.
For detailed information on the programs we offer, please click on the links below:
- Caregiver Training
- On-demand Educational Programs
- One-Day Regional Conferences
- Other Educational Resources
Caregiver Training
Launched in 2004, this intensive training program is designed especially for caregivers of brain tumor patients. The training focuses on the challenges caregivers face when caring for someone with a brain tumor.
This program is free and open to families, friends, and loved ones of brain tumor patients and survivors. Participants hear presentations by doctors, nurses, neuropsychologists, social workers, physical therapists, lawyers, and more. In addition to learning about brain tumor treatments, managing symptoms, coping with personality changes, legal issues for caregivers, and more, participants have the opportunity to network with other caregivers.
On-Demand Educational Programs
Getting the best, most up-to-date information is critical for making informed decisions about treatment and living with the best quality of life possible. NBTS provides free interactive educational programs via the web and telephone to patients, families, and health professionals each year. Topics range from new patient orientation to the latest clinical trial drugs to survivorship issues. You can download presentations from national experts and listen from your home or office.
Past Programs:
12/07: Treatment Updates for Brain Tumors: A Program for Patients and Families featuring Henry Friedman, MD, Deputy Director of the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke
Click here for the slides from this teleconference.
Click here to watch and listen to the teleconference. This file is a WMV format, which requires a media player such as Windows Media Player. If you do not have this program, click here to download a free version.
10/07: Caring for your Loved one from Far Away: Resources for Long Distance Caregivers featuring Donna Schempp, LCSW, Program Director, Family Caregiver Alliance
Click here for the slides from this teleconference.
Click here to watch and listen to the teleconference. This file is a WMV format, which requires a media player such as Windows Media Player. If you do not have this program, click here to download a free version.
11/06: New Chemotherapy for Brain Tumor Patients featuring Howard Fine, MD, Director Neuro-oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute
10/06: Coping with Cancer at School: When your Parent has Cancer
One-Day Regional Conferences
The NBTS Regional Conference program is an educational event for patients and their loved ones conducted in partnership with treatment centers across the United States. The day-long conferences feature presentations from multi-disciplinary health professionals about topics ranging from tumor types, treatment updates, and coping strategies. In addition to providing current and relevant information, the conferences provide opportunities for patients and families to receive support and connect with others.
Other Educational Resources
Patient Services Line (800.934.2873)
The Patient Services Line is a toll-free information and support phone line staffed by trained health information specialists. We receive over 10,000 phone calls and emails each year from patients and families ranging from the newly diagnosed to those coping with the end of life who are searching for treatment options, in need of information and support, and looking for people who can offer help at a critical time.
Comprehensive Website (www.braintumor.org)
The NBTS website is a critical resource for patients and families searching for reliable health information and support on the Internet. Visitors can find information on tumor types, treatment options, treatment centers, and downloadable publications. They can also submit questions to our Medical Information Specialist and participate in a vibrant online community of message boards.
Medical Information Specialist
Mary Lovely, RN, PhD, is a career neuroclinical nurse specialist and a leader in the field of symptom management for brain tumor patients. As a Medical Information Specialist, a position sponsored by the Tim and Tom Gullikson Foundation, Dr. Lovely offers phone and email consultations with patients. She helps patients and their loved ones translate medical jargon; understand how to manage symptoms, like seizures, fatigue, and cognitive changes; and explains current treatment options to those seeking treatment.
The Essential Guide to Brain Tumors and Other Printed Publications
The Essential Guide offers a comprehensive look at brain tumors in a colorful, easy-to-read magazine format. Topics include the causes of brain tumors, major treatment modalities, caregiver issues, and survivorship issues. NBTS provides The Essential Guide and many other high-quality publications free of charge to patients and health professionals as a way to ensure that people have the information they need to make good care decisions.
Treatment Center Database
NBTS provides a searchable database of brain tumor treatment centers on its website to help patients and families figure out where to go for treatment. The database includes contact information, treatments and technologies available at each center, and information about the volume of patients treated annually.
Spanish Language Programs and Services
NBTS is the only major adult brain tumor organization with information, resources, and supportive services provided in Spanish. Our Patient Information Line is staffed by a bilingual Spanish health information specialist, we have brochures and fact sheets available in Spanish, and our Peer Support Network includes Spanish-speaking volunteers.
Financial Assistance Program
The National Brain Tumor Society provides financial assistance through the Financial Assistance Program (FAP). The FAP provides grants to financially needy brain tumor patients of all ages to help with treatment related expenses, medication copays, transportation to treatment, home health care (related to a brain tumor diagnosis), home adaptations (related to a brain tumor diagnosis), and childcare. Grants typically range from $100 - $500. For more information about this program, please contact our Patient Services Line at 800.934.2873.
Patient and Caregiver Peer Support Networks
NBTS Support Networks provide a peer support program that links patients and caregivers with others who have faced a similar situation. This program provides contact information for participants and allows newly diagnosed patients to be matched up with someone who has the same tumor type, is the same age, and can help answer their questions.
Online Message Boards
The NBTS Message Boards provide an online forum for patients and families to ask and answer questions with others affected by brain tumors. NBTS currently hosts five message boards: GBM tumors, other malignant tumors, benign tumors, pediatric tumors, and young adult tumors. These boards receive thousands of hits each month.