Brain Tumor Foundation

by Dr Tejpal Gupta, BTF of India

Executive Summary:

Brain Tumor Foundation (BTF) of India was established in 1999 as a dedicated in-house charity, headquartered at Tata Memorial Hospital, in Mumbai with a mission to help and support patients with tumors of the brain and central nervous system and their family members and care-givers.   

BTF has liaised and worked very closely with the Neuro-Oncology Diasease Management Group at the Hospital in the last financial year (2021-2022) to provide financial, logistic, social, vocational, and educational support to poor and needy brain tumor patients and is entirely funded through voluntary and philanthropic donations.

Descriptive Report:

Activities of BTF duirng the last financial year (2021-22) include the following:

• ?        Conducting monthly support group meetings for patients and care-givers
• ?        Running web-based information portal and brain tumor helpline
• ?        Translating and distributing brain tumor booklets in various languages
• ?        Arranging financial support for investigations, treament, and rehabilitation
• ?        Providing seed funding for investigator-initiated clinical trials within the hospital
• ?        Augmenting human resource in Neuro-Oncology through project/research staff
• ?        Helping to prepare guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination for brain tumor patients
• ?        Contributing towards International Brain Tumor Patients’ Charter of Rights
• ?        Engaging in Brain Tumor Advocacy & Awareness through other support groups
• ?        Observing ‘International Brain Tumor Awareness’ Week (24^th-31^st Oct 2021)
• ?        Participating in the ‘Brilliance!’ exhibition of paintings by brain tumor patients 

Achievements of BTF during the last financial year (2021-22) include the following:

• ?        Featuring in the International Brain Tumor Alliance (IBTA) News Magazine
• ?        Recognition as member of the Asia-Pacific Brain Tumor Alliance (APBTA)
• ?        Generating funding support from philanthropy and voluntary dononations

The COVID-19 pandemic prevented us from hosting the BTF ‘Annual Arts Festival’ in 2021 which is one of the most awaited eagerly socio-cultural events by our patients and their families as they celebrate their journey to emerge victorius and triumphant.

Representative photographs:

Figure 1: Brain Tumor Support Group Meeting in progress

Figure 2: Brain Tumor Information Booklets in various languages