Welcoming Brainwaves NI

Brainwaves NI: for children and adults with brain tumours, their families and carers.

Brainwaves NI is a support group for people with brain tumours - children and adults, their families and carers. We came into existence in 1994 thanks to the endeavours of two patients, Billy Ferguson and Pamela Watson. They felt strongly that such a group would benefit those directly or indirectly affected by this terrible illness.

Our aim is to provide support and information which may not otherwise be available once patients return home. This can include directing first time patients/ families/carers to others whose

circumstances may be similar. These circumstances might be identical tumours or a family whose child has been diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Programme

To facilitate this we hold a meeting on the second Wednesday of every month in Bryson House, Bedford Street, Belfast, excluding July and August.At this meeting we try, where possible, to have a speaker. his speaker may come from a medical or social background, be a counsellor, or simply be someone who might provide other beneficial activities, such as those involving relaxation. We attempt to cover areas which we feel are important to our members.

We have, since our inception, arranged activities which allow our members to enjoy, each other’s company. Over the years many patients and their families have benefited from trips arranged and financed by our group. These have been a great source of comfort and strength to both patients and carers.

This help would not have been available once a patient left hospital had it not been for the vision of the co-founders of our group. The illness itself is seemingly seldom discussed or thought of whenever the subject of cancer arises, yet many are being diagnosed throughout the province. We feel our organisation is an essential means of helping those diagnosed with this ‘forgotten’ cancer, their families and carers.

More information

Contact Kate Ferguson.

brainwavesni@hotmail.com