October is Brain Tumour Awareness Month and You can make a difference.

Brain Tumour Awareness Month is an opportunity for the brain tumour community to rally together to create awareness, share information and garner support about this devastating disease.

This year, the brain tumour community is coming together and raising awareness in a number of new and exciting ways:

This October, join the movement, spread the word and share with us your incredible stories of strength. Starting October 1, 2012, a new story will be shared every day that celebrates the strength of every Canadian affected by a brain tumour. Every day, 27 Canadians are diagnosed with the disease and every day, you will find a new story that emphasizes the incredible range of people affected.

You will find stories from all ages and all regions of Canada – and stories about people facing all types of brain tumours as well as the many ways survivors and families gain strength on the journey. Finally, you will find stories about how things are changing and how you can help make a difference.

Together, we can raise awareness and funds to help the 55,000 Canadians living with a brain tumour. You can:

Join the Movement

• Visit BrainTumour.ca/BTAM2012 every day in October for a new and unique story of strength that you can share
• Sign up for the BTAM 2012 email list to stay up-to-date in August and September and have immediate alerts about daily activities through out October.
• Head over to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to connect with us, take part in polls and discussions and help share the stories of strength.

Spread the Word

• Share the daily story of strength with your family, friends and community
• Invite your family and friends to join the movement by signing up for the email list or checking us out through social media
• Share facts and information with these social media messages and use the #BTAM2012 hashtag on Twitter and share your thoughts about brain tumours
• Download and print information and posters to put up around your community

Share Your Perspective

• Take photos you, your family and friends to show us what you do to provide strength to the amazing individuals and families battling the disease
• Contribute a hat and story to the Hats Tribute. A traveling display of hats and stories of courage, the Hats Tribute gives people the opportunity to learn about the journey with a brain tumour from patients and survivors themselves.
• Answer Facebook questions and offer ‘words of wisdom’ to those new to the journey with a brain tumour
• Tell us what you’ve learned during Brain Tumour Awareness Month 2012 via email, by sharing your story or through social media
• Contribute your story of strength here on the blog.Your story of strength offers hope and inspiration to those diagnosed with a brain tumour, their family and helps the general public better understand the challenges and victories that those on the journey with a brain tumour face. You can share your story directly on the blog and be inspired by others!

It doesn’t stop there!

You can get your entire community involved in Brain Tumour Awareness Month by taking part in the Making ‘Cents’ of Brain Tumours penny drive, hosting and Awareness Display or ordering awareness items from the merchandise store.

Making ‘Cents’ of Brain Tumours

Pennies are small but they are mighty! This October, request a Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada coin box and collect pennies to help make “cents” of brain tumours. It’s a great way to get your workplace and community groups involved and give a donation, helping fund critical research and important patient and family programs. Every penny counts

Host and Awareness Display

Armed with material and information, you can help educate others about brain tumours. Request an Awareness Kit and set up an Awareness Display in your community so that others can learn more about the disease and its impact on those affected. The kit includes this poster.

Brain Tumour Awareness Merchandise

Want to show your support for the brain tumour community? Purchase items from the  Merchandise Store and then share with us where you’ve taken the items!  Contact Eileen Quigg, Community Events Officer at 1-800-265-5106 ext 224 or equigg@braintumour.ca for your merchandise or Awareness Display materials.

To learn more:
Megan Winkler
mwinkler@braintumour.ca
1-800-265-5106 or 519-642-7755, ext. 232