The Garden State’s largest neurosurgical practice goes beyond providing highly advanced medical care. It builds a community of hope for brain tumor patients and their families.
As May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month, did you know that in 2018, nearly 80,000 people will be diagnosed with primary brain tumors?
“What these people will go through is something most can’t fathom,” said Claire Weiss, a registered nurse at Atlantic NeuroSurgical Specialists (ANS) and coordinator of the ANS Center for Hope Foundation, a dedicated support group for patients, family members and caregivers. “It’s important the community takes time to acknowledge our neighbors who are bravely batting brain tumors.”
ANS’ Brain Tumor Center is one of the busiest in the nation. Each of its board-certified brain surgeons sees hundreds of patients each year with newly diagnosed or recurrent tumors.
“We believe with hope … and the best medical care team … healing has its best chance,” Weiss said.
The ANS Center for Hope was founded in 2012. Today, the 501(c)(3) foundation provides free support, education and other services – including a monthly Brain Tumor Support Group that meets the third Thursday of each month – for anyone impacted by brain tumors, not just ANS patients.
ANS Brain Tumor Support Group meetings focus on enabling members to share their experiences, support one another and, sometimes, simply forget about the battle they’re fighting. Volunteers prepare and serve dinner, and most meetings also bring in special guests, such as nutritionists, acupuncturists or art therapists.
Aside from the ANS nurses and staff members who go beyond the call of duty to serve as volunteers, it’s the members who do the heavy lifting, Weiss said.
“The way these patients and their families keep hope and the way they support each other is something to behold,” she said.
To learn more about The ANS Center for Hope Foundation, RSVP for the next meeting or make a tax-deductible donation, visit ansdocs.com/support.php.