Description
Children's Brain Tumor Foundation (CBTF) is the only organization that works with families nationwide who are coping with the challenges of a brain tumor. 4800 children are newly diagnosed with a brain tumor each year; a third will die within five years and most who survive will suffer long-term challenges such as impaired cognitive ability, physical challenges, etc.
CBTF funds research and support services for families and brain tumor survivors.
Our services to families start at the hospital, with free distribution of our Resource Guide for Parents of Children with Brain or Spinal Cord Tumors. Service continues when children leave the protective hospital and parents face the challenges of re-adjustment to school, family, and friends. Our social workers staff a toll-free line and conduct online group chats. We provide training and support to parents serving as volunteer mentors in our Family 2 Family network that enables families to gain insight and support from others who have traveled the same road.
As pediatric brain tumor survivors mature through adolescence and young adulthood they face new challenges with school, friends, and careers. Many report feeling isolated and concerned about their future. We sponsor camps for teens and young adults in Montana where we provide career, education, and socialization assistance. We also operate activities throughout the year supporting socialization and career development
CBTF is the founding funder of the Children's Brain Tumor Tissue Consortium, that supports research and analysis.
