PRESS RELEASE: Lewis Foundation Makes a Real Impact in Brain Cancer Patient Support.
The Brain Cancer Group, Care2Cure (TBCG), is very pleased to announce during Brain Cancer Awareness Month, the commitment by the Lewis Foundation to fund TBCG’s Neuro-oncology Care Co-ordination Programme, a critical programme for patients and families.
This donation of more than $400,000.00 will fund the programme for the next 3 years.
The Lewis Foundation is a philanthropic organisation founded and managed by the Lewis Family, owners of Lewis Land Group.
On being asked what motivated this generous donation, Marnie Lewis-Millar and Shay Lewis-Thorp, Directors of the Lewis Foundation stated:
“We have observed how complex the treatment and care arrangements are for people with brain cancer. Co-ordination of regular MRI scans, specialist appointments and medication regimes can be an overwhelming experience, particularly for people who are dealing with the emotional enormity of a cancer diagnosis. The Lewis Foundation is pleased to be funding The Brain Cancer Group’s support of a dedicated Care Co-ordinator. Marina’s devoted focus on helping patients to navigate this complexity will greatly assist to deliver care in a logical, connected, and timely manner”.
Associate Professor Helen Wheeler, Medical Oncologist and TBCG Director:
“TBCG has 3 main goals, Research, both benchtop and clinical, to improve treatment and evaluate new therapeutic options, Education for patients, carers and staff, empowering patients to be involved in treatment decisions, and Support for patients and carers, recognising that navigating the complex treatment and evaluation course involved in brain cancer management is extremely complicated. Having a dedicated medical professional to help guide patients and carers is essential to achieve the best outcome.”
The TBCG Board and team thank the Lewis Foundation for recognising the importance of this vital support role and by supporting TBCG so generously, assisting us to provide a care co-ordination programme in support of our patients and their families. Currently, TBCG’s Care Co-ordination Support programme is led by Marina Kastelan, who is the leading Nurse Practitioner Neuro-oncology Care Co-ordinator in Australasia. Marina deals only in brain tumours and is a vital member of TBCG’s brain cancer medical team.
The Brain Cancer Group
The registered charity The Brain Cancer Group – Care2Cure, (formerly named Sydney Neuro-Oncology Group Ltd), was established on the Royal North Shore Hospital campus in Sydney, Australia in the year 2000 by neuro-surgeons Dr Raymond Cook and Dr Michael Biggs, who were soon after joined by medical oncologist Associate Professor Helen Wheeler.
While passionate about improving the care and outcomes for their patients with brain cancer, it was clear to the doctors that this was not enough. These patients stood largely alone in a community that focused much of its fundraising and awareness on other more common cancer types.
They recognised the need for a highly focussed community group, consisting of like-minded individuals of different medical and business backgrounds, dedicating their time and expertise pro bono, to create impactful programmes within the 3 pillars of Research, Education and Support for patients and carers. The Brain Cancer Group board was formed and continues to guide the allocation of donated funds to the vital programmes established by the Group.
