INTERNATIONAL BRAIN TUMOUR AWARENESS WEEK 2022
The International Brain Tumour Alliance (IBTA), founded in 2005, is an alliance of over 100 countries, and includes researchers, care-giving medical professionals, government agencies and community and family focused groups like Meagan’s HUG.
Meagan’s HUG has been a member of the IBTA since its inception.
Groups in this alliance work together to raise awareness world-wide about brain tumours: to strengthen international collaboration, improving information, support, and treatment. Shared knowledge promotes better understanding about how brain tumours work and their effective treatment. Improved quality of life and outcomes for brain tumour patients is the aim and result!
Brain tumours affect people of all ages, all cultures, all religions, in all countries.
Greater collaboration, greater knowledge, greater hope! These IBTA values align with Meagan’s HUG values of community and hope.
Meagan’s HUG is proud to be part of this global alliance which mirrors our vision of a world where individuals no longer suffer from brain tumours.
Hope Changes Everything!
Meet Dr. Inci Yaman
Dr. Yaman is part of the Meagan's HUG Neuro-oncology Fellowship and shares her experience in this video.
Meet Jess
Jess has been actively involved with Meagan's Hug for 9 years since her diagnosis of a brain tumour in 2013. She knows all-too-well how unpredictable and difficult pediatric brain tumours can be - after years of relative stability she had progression in her tumour this year that required her to face active treatment once again. Jess is thrilled to be able to share a little of her story and her passion about the work of Meagan's HUG.
Meet Dr. Rutka
Dr. James Rutka, Director of the Brain Tumour Research Centre, has been a friend of Meagan's HUG since its start in 2001.
As the primary surgeon involved with Meagan's care, Dr. Rutka has played an integral role in the organization and continues to support children and families impacted by paedatric brain tumours.
The BTRC brings together scientists and clinicians to study brain tumours, amalgamating their expertise, while sharing ideas, resources and equipment, in an atmosphere conducive to excellence in molecular neuro-oncology research.
Meet Cosimo
Cosimo loved his sister, Mikayla, his mom, Cindi, and his step-dad, Jay. Most of all, Cosimo loved life!
At age 9, a diagnosis of medulloblastoma showed that Cosimo had not one, but five tumours in his brain and going down his spine.
Co fought hard. Given 3 months to live, it was 18 months after the diagnosis when Co passed away at home in his mother’s arms, surrounded by those who love him.
For more than 20 years, Jay, Cindi, their family, and friends have supported Meagan’s HUG.
Meet Emma
Emma first learned about Meagan’s HUG in grade nine when her high school began preparing for their annual HUG event.
The following year, she took on a volunteer role and was supporting the team in running the campaign and event coordination. By grade 12, Emma, with another co-lead was responsible for all organization for the school program.
Today Emma continues to volunteer with Meagan's HUG and is the committee lead for the school program, “Kids Helping Kids”.
Meet Denise
In December 2000, Denise and her family received the devastating news. Their youngest child, Meagan, age 4, had an inoperable and malignant brain tumour. Radiation therapy commenced in the hope it would slow down the effect of this tumour. Nothing could be done to spare Meagan.
Meagan died in June 2001, two weeks past her 5th birthday.
Denise knew no other child should face such a diagnosis and felt no other family should have to walk such a path alone.
With the support of family and friends, she founded Meagan's HUG with a vision of changing the statistics around paediatric brain tumours and the effects they have on young patients.
