For Immediate Release-1/15/2010
Media contact: Kate Watson
843-722-0509 (h)
843-469-7515 (c)
 

Brain Tumor Awareness Organization Announces New Board of Directors

Charleston, SC – Monday, Dec.21st  The Brain Tumor Awareness Organization (BTAO) has announced their list of new board members for the year 2009-2010.   The Brain Tumor Awareness Organization was founded in 2006 by Julie Houston, the wife of a seven year grade 3 brain tumor survivor. As patient and caregiver, they defined the needs that most identify upon diagnosis and formed an organization to complement existing brain tumor organizations-all who answer a need in the areas of research, treatment, assistance, advocacy and support. The focus of The Brain Tumor Awareness Organization was to streamline these resources in a comprehensive website so that a brain tumor patient or overwhelmed caregiver could access and digest at their own pace, the available programs and information they offer. This primary focus provides a navigation process for those that visit our site which can save hours, alleviate stress and provide a safety net for those in the crisis phase of the disease.

The new and newly appointed BTAO  board members are: 

Mary Lyn Donovan-Non-Profit Executive; Former Executive Director at Susan G. Komen for the Cure SC Mountains to Midlands Affiliate, South Carolina Cancer Alliance Advocacy & Policy Chair. 

Dr. Pierre Giglio – 2006-present Assistant Professor, Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 2007-present Medical Director, MUSC Hollings Brain & Spine Tumor Program. 

Jeni Schumacher-Current Owner of RoadWaves Fitness Training Center, Greenville, SC

Former Member and Volunteer Relations Director at the Golden Strip Family YMCA of Simpsonville

Jeni has been with the YMCA for 17 years in several roles. As a mother, wife and business woman she has a strong heart for Cancer as she is a battling melanoma.  Her father died 8 years ago of melanoma that metastasized to brain cancer.  She continues to raise funds for cancer research with local hospitals and assists the Greenville Hospital System in their Philanthropy Department. To date Jeni has raised over $170,000 for scholarships for the YMCA and over $20,000 for cancer research. 

Christy Solesbee- a very successful entrepreneur and currently manages a private investment company. Three years ago her father in law was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She has taken an active role in his care planning. She is excited about the opportunity to serve with the Brain Tumor Awareness Organization. 

Jenni Trouten-  CV ICU Nurse @ St. Francis Hospital, American Association of Critical Care Nurses, State Certified Advanced Life Support Instructor Greenville, SC

Kate Watson-Director of Strategic Communications-Hollings Cancer Center, Charleston, SC; Congressional Chief of Staff, Director of Communications and Press Secretary; Director of Media Relations-American Forest and Paper; and Vice President of Communications and Marketing of American Gas Association. 

Jan Williams- St. Francis Women’s Hospital 1991-95  (Labor,delivery, postpartum (LDRP) Charge Nurse & Preceptor, Management of Same Day Surg, OR, RR), American Cancer Society volunteer chair. 

Remaining members:

Julie Houston- National Patient Advocate Foundation State Policy Liaison, North American Brain Tumor Coalition advocate and member, South Carolina Cancer Alliance Cancer Resource Network Chair, Founder/CEO of The Brain Tumor Awareness Organization; LIVESTRONG Army Leader and former business owner.

Tracy Tankersley- is an events coordinator for the McCall Golf Tournament;  a sponsors liaison and fundraising coordinator.

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The mission of the BTAO is to raise awareness for brain tumors on a local, state and national level through online resources and community for patients, advocates and caregivers and reduce the impact and duration of this disease through interaction.

www.braintumorawareness.org

In 2002, Keith Houston was diagnosed with a Grade 3 malignant brain tumor at age 36. After receiving treatment, he and his wife Julie took their first trip to Washington, DC to advocate with The North American Brain Tumor Coalition during Brain Tumor Action Week. Julie, a former postal employee began her campaign then for a semi-postal stamp for brain tumors. She began by contacting an internationally renowned artist, George Pocheptsov to design the stamp. George, who lost his father to a brain tumor when he was only a toddler, has donated his paintings to benefit charities over the years. Though George’s art is highly detailed and he may not be selected to design such a stamp, he is the Brain Tumor Awareness Organization Ambassador and supports the mission and programs through his paintings.

Since the Citizen’s Stamp Advisory Committee had previously nominated for consideration a Silver Ribbon Stamp proposed by the Silver Ribbon Coalition, which represents all brain diseases, disorders and injuries, there was an opportunity for collaboration to bring both the brain tumor community and the Silver Ribbon Coalition together as one voice. The Breast Cancer Research Stamp had generated $52 million in 9 years and greatly increased research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and The Department of Defense (DOD). Julie approached members at each one of these institutes to learn how multiple research projects were benefiting various brain disorders, dysfunctions, diseases and injuries. Upon identifying the advances in these areas of research and the impact that traumatic brain injuries are having on our Veterans at war, she recognized that the numbers were significant to lobby The Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC)  and Congress for a semi-postal stamp, supported by all brain organizations.

A recent conference revealed that the success of the Breast Cancer Research Stamp was a direct result of the numbers of supporters, the organized campaign, the purchasing power and the increased awareness about the significant funding the stamp provided. It is recognized by the CSAC that to issue a stamp, it must be supported by such a grassroots effort.

Therefore, we are asking that you support the campaign for a semi-postal stamp to benefit brain research and invite anyone you know in support of this effort to sign a petition or send a letter to the CSAC.

Together, we can be heard.

My special thanks to all those individuals and organizations that provided their 800 signatures in 2004 and especially to the Silver Ribbon Coalition, who pioneered this effort early on. Thanks to their impact, this stamp can become a reality with all efforts coming together for one cause.

Click here to learn more and submit your letter.

Many issues continue into a new year but as it begins, it is a time to assess your overall health-physical, emotional, spiritual and financial. To assist with this, we created a financial planning tips sheet . This first set of discussion sheets in the series addresses basic management skills:

• Sorting and organizing your mail
• Setting up an electronic filing system
• Accessing computer program tutorials
• Employing an erasable china marker for easy labeling of items
• Filing for Homestead Exemption to reduce property tax liability
• Filing your taxes-getting assistance from a United Way Agency or through www.irs.gov
• 2010 Medicare Advantage open enrollment period and criteria
• Self-advocacy tools available on our website

Some simple organization steps can result in supportive measures that reduce stress and provide clear communications about the processes you are engaged in.

Christmas Eve brought sweeping reform in the Senate when 60 votes were cast to pass legislation to provide health care coverage for Americans.
Now that the Holidays have passed, the House and the Senate will conference on the legislation and continue the hard work.
To learn more about where this effort is currently, visit The National Patient Advocate Foundation’s website.

Visit THOMAS.GOV to learn about recent action on:
H.R. 3590-The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
H.R. 3962-Affordable Health Care for America Act