Did you know that October is Brain TumorAwareness Month?

Why not kick off theevent with the ‘Head

for a Cure’ walk on SundayOctober 19th? Launched

by our very own Patient and Family AdvisoryCommittee (PFAC) as part of the TorontoMarathon, your 5K walk/run will begin atQueen’s Park, with all proceeds going to ThePencer Brain Tumor Centre at PrincessMargaret Hospital. For pledge sheets, pleasestop by The Centre or contact MaureenDaniels at 416-946-2240.

Activities continue on Friday, October 31,2003, with the 5th Annual ‘Pencer CentreGuest Lecture and Open House’. Start yourday with a ‘must-see’ presentation by TerryEvanshen, who will demonstrate the

never-ending power of the human mind toovercome obstacles. A member of theCanadian Football Hall of Fame, Terry wastwice voted outstanding Canadian in the CFLand a Grey Cup champion. Then on July 4,1988, Terry Evanshen nearly lost it all. Thevictim of a devastating car accident, Evanshenwas so critically injured, he was practically leftfor dead. In a miraculous turn of events,Terry awoke from a month-long coma, but toa devastating reality. His memory completelyshattered, he was without a past and hisfuture looked bleak. With the support of anamazing family, Terry managed to slowlyrebuild his life. Now a successful motivationalspeaker, Terry lives in Brooklin, Ontario withhis loving family. In 1998, he was challengedonce again when his 21-year-old daughter wasdiagnosed with brain cancer. Jennifer died atthe young age of 24 after fighting a bravefight and is survived by her parents, Terry andLorraine and two sisters Tracey Lee and Tara.‘Seize Each Day’, presented by TerryEvanshen will take place from 10:30 am to12:00 pm in the 6th floor auditorium,Princess Margaret Hospital. Admission is free,

NEWS & INFORMATION FOR

PATIENTS AND FAMILIES LIVING WITH BRAIN TUMORSV O L U M E 5 • N U M B E R 1 • F A L L 2 0 0 3

Holly Pencer Bellman

“Making a Difference

in the Quality of Life

of People Living

with Brain Tumors”

B R A I N S C A N

A Message from the Director c

Providing informationabout our progress at

The Brain Trust andactivities at The Gerry &

Nancy Pencer Brain Tumor Centre, BrainScan

is a great resource for brain tumor patients and

their families, donors, the medical community,like-organizations, and

volunteers across Canadaand the United States.

continued on page 3

5th Annual Open House and Guest Lecture

Open House Noon - 3:00 pmGuest Lecture 10:30 am - Noon

Seize Each DayJoin Terry from 10:30 am to Noon

in the 6th Floor Auditoriumat Princess Margaret Hospital.

Admission is free, but, SEATING IS LIMITED! To reserve a seat call Maureen at 416-946-2240.

Friday, October 31

Learn what’s new in the treatment and care of patients and their families, living

with brain tumors. Prior to the Open House, join us for a presentation by our

Guest Speaker, Terry Evanshon:

State-Of-The-Art Care

Physical RehabilitationConsultation

Participation in Clinical Trials

Social Worker andPsychiatrist

Resource Library

Live and Learn Program

Patient and FamilyAdvisory Committee

ComplementaryTherapies

Links to Hospital andCommunity Support

Services

Patient InformationBinder

Art Therapy

Support Group Meetings

Internet Access

Translational Research

A Calm and PositiveEnvironment for Patients

and FamiliesOUR MISSION:

To be a “Centre of Excellence”

which provides multidisciplinary care,treatment, and supportfor brain tumor patients

and their families.

To promote clinical andtranslational braintumor research.

THE GERRY & NANCY PENCERBRAIN TUMOR CENTRE

PATIENT & FAMILYS E R V I C E S

2

October is Brain TumourAwareness month in

Canada, and The PencerCentre will be hosting anumber of important eventsto highlight this importantcause. Firstly, The PencerCentre will be holding itsannual Open House onOctober 31. This event isthe most important day for

us at The Centre, because it provides anopportunity for the many healthcareprofessionals involved in delivering care topatients with brain tumors to showcase theirunique services and activities. Several hundredpatients, family members, and friends visit theOpen House to learn more about the latestinformation on the treatment of brain tumorsand support services available at our Centre.The Open House always features a guestspeaker, and this year we are very pleased tohave Terry Evanshen, a member of theCanadian Football Hall of Fame, who will givea presentation entitled “Seize Each Day”,highlighting aspects of his remarkable life andthe many challenges he has had to overcome.Terry is an inspiring speaker, and we are surethat his unique story will help may of ourpatients and friends deal with the hardshipsthey are facing. In October, we also hold theannual Gerry Pencer Memorial Lecture. This

Medical News e

C A R D S F O R A C U R E

The Gerry & Nancy Pencer Brain Trust is proud to present a new collection of cards. These cards are a perfect way to mark a special occasion, remember a loved one, or send as a holiday gift.

T O P L A C E Y O U R O R D E R : P L E A S E C A L L 4 1 6 - 9 2 3 - 2 9 9 9 T O L L F R E E 1 - 8 7 7 - 2 8 2 - H O P E

All proceeds will benefit The Gerry & Nancy Pencer Brain Trust and Brain Tumor Centre at Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto. Charitable Registration Number 88177 7569 RR0001

year we have invited Dr. Antonio Chiocca, aneurosurgeon based at the MassachusettsGeneral Hospital and Harvard Medical Schoolin Boston. Dr. Chiocca will be discussing thepotential of gene therapy as a treatment forprimary brain tumors. Also in October, asmany of you know, our Patient and FamilyAdvisory Committee (PFAC) is organizing“Head for a Cure”, a 5 km walk on October19 to raise money for The Centre – we wishthem great success. Finally, you will soon see afamiliar face at The Centre: Neetu Malik, ourclinical trials nurse, will be returning frommaternity leave – so please do welcome herback when you meet her in the hallways.

Dr. Warren MasonMedical Director

L A U G H T E R…is good med i c i ne

Randy Yee, right, and hisgood friend, Guy, voluteeras greeters at the PencerCentre Open House inOctober, 2000.

3

but don’t forget to register early to ensure good seating. Toregister, please call Maureen Daniels at 416-946-2240.

Following the presentation, please stop by The PencerCentre between noon and 3 pm to see “what’s new” in thetreatment and care of patients and families living with braintumors. Guests can view exciting and interactive displays by amultitude of healthcare disciplines involved with braintumors, munch on yummy snacks at our juice bar, and asalways, walk away with a goody bag so jam-packed withsurprises, you won’t believe your eyes! So, mark yourcalendars and join us on Friday, October 31, 2003, for our5th Annual Pencer Centre Guest Lecture and Open House.We look forward to personally welcoming you all!

On Monday, August 25th, 2003, the 3rd Annual Gerry

Pencer Golf Tournament teed off at the historic ScarboroGolf and Country Club. Special thanks go out to our goodfriends at Cott Corporation for hosting this now-annualevent, which brought out over 100 golfers playing for agreat cause. The day was gloriously sunny and hot, andincluded a BBQ lunch, 18 holes of golf, cocktails anddinner, plus exciting contests and fabulous silent and liveauctions. The best part was that over $40,000 was net forpatients and families of The Gerry & Nancy Pencer BrainTumor Centre. What a victory! Honorable mentions go toMark Benadiba, Mark Cumberland, Karen McBain, RobinTurnbull, Ines Marra, Linda Mckie, Madelon Cooper andWendy Howze for all their hard work on this meaningfulevent. Don’t forget to mark Monday, August 30th, 2004 onyour calendar if you want to participate in the next GerryPencer Golf Tournament!

Director’s Messsage from page 1

Ana Capatana was spotted wearing her Pencer Centre hat in Bucharest, Romania. Ana is the grandmother of our neuro-oncology

fellow, Dr. Ruxandra Costa. Ana recently celebrated her 94th birthday on August 26, 2003. Happy Birthday!

Randy sets the bar very high

when it comes tobeing an exceptionalvolunteer. Diagnosedwith a brain tumorin 1997, Randy andhis wife Nancy

quickly became involved at The Pencer Centre, becomingfounding members of our Patient and Family AdvisoryCommittee (PFAC). Always willing to lend a hand, Randyhas been a volunteer driver and patient counsellor for theCancer Society, awarded “top seller” in our Pencer CentreHat drive, been an enthusiastic greeter of guests during manyan Open House and contributed his time and creativity toPFAC’s inspiring quilt and dream catcher projects. A lovinghusband, father, grandfather and friend, we can’t imagine amore deserving recipient of the 1st ‘Guy Morrison Volunteerof the Year Award’.

Each year, the ‘Guy Morrison Volunteer of the Year Award’will honor an outstanding volunteer at The Gerry & NancyPencer Brain Tumor Centre and within the brain tumorcommunity. Guy Morrison was a loving husband, father andgood friend. Diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor inNovember, 1997, he never had a “why me” attitude. In trueGerry Pencer fashion, Guy quickly turned his paralysing fearinto positive energy. A founding member of The Patient andFamily Advisory Committee, Guy (and his wife Joanne) helpedshape the programs and services at The Pencer Centre, raiseawareness about brain tumors within their community, andcounsel newly diagnosed patients and families. After a long and arduous fight, Guy succumbed to his brain tumor inMarch, 2002. His passion for helping others will live on in ourhearts forever.

RANDY YEE WINSGuy Morrison Volunteerof the Year Award

4

Staff Profile: Madelon Cooper t

1Attend The PencerCentre Guest Lecture

and Open House on Friday,October 31, 2003

2 Participate in the “Head for a Cure” 5K

walk in support of TheGerry & Nancy Pencer BrainTumor Centre

3 Take part in one of the Brain Tumour

Foundation of Canada’sInformation Days,happening in several citiesacross the country*

4 Attend the Crolla FamilyResearch Unit (located

at the Toronto-SunnybrookRegional Cancer Centre)Information Day*

5 Wear an “Imagine aCure” button (available

at The Pencer Centre)

6 Consider becoming avolunteer in one of the

member organizations ofthe Canadian Alliance ofBrain Tumour Organizations(CABTO)

7 Plan an event of yourown to help raise public

awareness and/or funds forresearch in the quest tofind a cure for brain tumors

8 Pass on this issue ofBrainScan to a friend,

so they can learn moreabout the challenges ofliving with a brain tumor

9 Take time to read GerryPencer’s The Ride of

My Life or Rebecca Libutti’sThat’s Unacceptable for aninside look at living with abrain tumor

10 If you have your ownpersonal story about

meeting the challenges oflife with a brain tumor,write it down and send it tous at Brainscan. We wouldbe happy to publish it sothat others can benefitfrom your experience

The Gerry & Nancy Pencer Brain Tumor Centre is my

father’s dream come true. It will be a tribute to him always.

quite turns out as wonderful. It is a mixture ofart and magic that can’t be learned, you eitherhave it or you don’t. Clearly Madelon has ‘it’.She confesses that she has no formal floraltraining, but over the years, having worked inthe catering business, has honed her floraltalent. She does admit that now that she doesthe flowers regularly at The Pencer Centre, shetakes more notice of the floral arrangementsshe sees elsewhere.

Early each week Madelon arrives at ThePencer Centre with hercart loaded down withbunches and bunches offresh flowers. There arealways plenty of elegantwhite flowers to adornthe main entranceway ofThe Centre, but there isalso an exciting array ofseasonal flowers thatbring a touch of varietyas well. Madelon statesthat she enjoys herflower shoppingexpeditions. She knowswhere she can go to getthe freshest, flowers andfinds it an educationalexperience to see what isnew each week. Shemakes a point to learnabout new or uniquevarieties so that she canshare the informationwith anyone who mightask her about them asworks on her designs.

The dictionary states that, “Whensomething flowers, it gets stronger and moresuccessful.” We feel confident that havingcome through the trials of the past few monthsat The Pencer Centre, we are ready to floweronce again. We hope the next time you are atThe Pencer Centre you will take time to stopand smell the flowers!

Welcome back Madelon… we have missed you!

Spring… the season of renewal and hope. Atime of year when the world is refreshed

and eager to show off it’s new beauty. Withouta doubt one of the surest signs of Spring is thereturn of the flowers! While the calendar maynot say it is Spring right now, in many ways atThe Pencer Centre it feels that way. Aftermonths and months of SARS precautions thatlimited access and restricted activities aroundthe Centre, the flowers have returned!

Many people who have visited The PencerCentre over the yearshave had the pleasure ofenjoying the beautifulflower arrangements.These floral creations arethe work of MadelonCooper. Each week,Madelon carefully selectsa variety of flowers thatshe brings to The Centreto transform into herdazzling displays. WhenBrainScan askedMadelon, who works forNancy Pencer, how it wasthat she became the“flower lady” for ThePencer Centre, she washappy to share her story.“Nancy is a very speciallady and feels verystrongly that The PencerCentre should provide awarm and caringatmosphere for patients.A special place deservesspecial touches, and theflowers are one small way that we can make adifference in the quality of life of the patientsand families who come here.”

Watching Madelon create one of the halfdozen arrangements she makes each week forThe Centre is a lot like watching a wonderfulchef at work in the kitchen. You carefullyobserve every move they make, clarify theexact measurements and mimic everythingthey do, but somehow your creation never

Madelon CooperThe Flower Lady

Holly Pencer Bellman*See page 5 for these event dates.

October is Brain TumourAwareness Month. Sowhat does this really

mean? For individuals andfamilies living with a braintumour, it’s an opportunity toget support and information.

The Canadian Alliance ofBrain Tumour Organizations(CABTO) is an alliance ofvolunteer organizations, dedicatedto enhancing the quality of life ofbrain tumour patients and theirfamilies. The Gerry & NancyPencer Brain Trust is pleased to bean active and contributingmember of CABTO.

Formed in 1999, our mandateis to advocate for better patientcare and increased funding forresearch. Member organizationsbelieve that by working together,we can accomplish these goalsmore effectively than by workingalone.

Across Canada, memberorganizations of CABTO,support groups, cancer centresand hospitals are talking aboutbrain tumours and hostingevents throughout the month ofOctober to raise awarenessabout this often devastatingdisease.

Here is a list of activitiesthat are going on across thecountry during October.Take some time toparticipate in one or moreof these events and passthe information along toothers as well. Together wecan make a difference!

The Canadian Alliance of Brain Tumour Organizations (CABTO) Celebrates Brain Tumor Awareness Month

5

Clinical Trials Update e

6

A Phase II Trial Of IntensiveChemotherapy AndAutotransplantation For PatientsWith Newly Diagnosed AnaplasticOligodendroglioma

This trial will look at a new treatmentoption for those patients who are newly

diagnosed with an anaplasticOligodendroglioma. The purpose of this

trial is to investigate whether it is safe and effective to treatanaplastic oligodedrogliomas using chemotherapy alone.Currently, the standard of care for patients living with braintumours includes a course of radiation therapy usuallyfollowed at some point by chemotherapy. Recent research tellsus that many oligodendrogliomas are very sensitive tochemotherapy. This raises the question of whether it is possibleto treat oligodendrogliomas with chemotherapy alone, thuseliminating or delaying the need for radiation therapy. Thebenefit of this approach would be to eliminate the potentialrisk of delayed side effects of brain radiation, such asmemory/concentration and neurocognitive functioning.

This recipe makes one 9 inch pie.2 beaten eggs1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin (not the

ready-made canned pie filling)1 cup sugar1/2 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/4 teaspoon ground cloves1/4 teaspoon ground ginger1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg1 large can undiluted

Carnation Evaporated Milk9-inch unbaked pie shell

In previous issues of Brainscan we have discussed anumber of ongoing clinical trials at The Pencer Centre. Thisparticular trial is quite complex and involves several phases.These include the administration of intensive PCV (I-PCV)chemotherapy on an outpatient basis, followed by thecollection of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) and ahospital admission of approximately 3-4 weeks, during whichtime a second type of chemotherapy is administered.Participation in this trial will mean that the patient will berequired to undergo various tests, treatments and proceduresthat would not be part of a standard course of treatment.

Naturally, the patient will be followed very closelythroughout the entire process to ensure safety. This trial willtake approximately 10 months for each patient to complete.Post treatment evaluation will include a follow upneurological exam by your physician, as well as an MRI ofthe brain every three months. As always, participation in aclinical trial is completely voluntary and the patient is free towithdraw from the trial at any time.

It is our expectation that this trial will begin to enrollpatients at The Pencer Centre by early in the new year. Ifyou would like further information about this trial pleasecontact Delores Dholah or Neetu Malik (who has nowreturned from maternity leave… WELCOME BACK!) at416-946-4624.

PRALINE TOPPED PUMPKIN PIEYou’ll ‘fall for Fall’ as soon as you taste this scrumptious praline topped pumpkin pie,a favorite of The Pencer Centre’s Maureen Daniels, and her whole family! “This yummyrecipe from Carnation Milk has been around for a long time. It is a delicious spin on aseasonal favourite,” says Maureen.

Combine eggs, pumpkin, sugar, salt andspices. Gradually stir in milk. Pour intounbaked pie shell. Bake at 425°F for 15minutes, reduce to 350°F and continuebaking for about 40 minutes or until knifeinserted near centre comes out clean. Cool. Just before serving, top with pralinetopping.Praline ToppingCombine 2 tablespoons melted butter, 1/2cup firmly packed brown sugar and 1/3 cupchopped pecans. Sprinkle evenly over pie.Place under broiler until top is bubbly,about 1 minute. Serve immediately.

Delores DholahClinical Trials Coordinator

7

My journey began in March of1994 with a grand mal seizure.

I had driven to Kingston to spendtime with friends from university.The seizure really scared me. I wasconfused and in shock. I had to callmy dad to come pick me up…myfirst loss of independence. I was 24and not able to drive for the nexttwo years.

After extensive testing thedoctors found a large brain tumor.The only thought I had was that mylife was over, and I wondered howlong I would live. After several testswith three doctors, they agreed thatdue to the proximity to the motorarea the tumor was inoperable. Iwas determined not to give up. Ihad a gut feeling that everythingwould be okay.

After months of searching I wasthrilled to find Dr. Lozano, whospecialized in the motor area of thebrain. His diagnosis gave me hope.My tumor was removed inSeptember, 1995. The night beforemy surgery, I had a party withfriends and family. It was importantfor me to be surrounded by peoplethat loved me, and thank them forsupporting me. This celebrationprovided me with comfort, andrelaxed me before surgery.

When I woke up after mysurgery I was paralyzed on the rightside (I am right-handed), and hadlost the ability to speak. I had torelearn how to walk, talk, and write.

During an appointment with mydoctor, he mentioned that I maynever be able to do my current job. I was the Manager of a CorporateFitness Centre, and part of my jobrequired me to teach fitness classes.Four months later, after hard

work anddetermination,

my strengthreturned,and I was

able to go back to work. Formotivation, I promised myself I wouldtrain for a half marathon once I wasfully recuperated.

Post-surgery the good news wasthat the tumor was completelyremoved. I was told it was benign andnon-reoccurring, which to me at thattime meant it wasn’t cancer. I wasdone with tumors for GOOD, or so Ithought…

As life went on, I met mywonderful husband in December of1997. Over the years we have talkedand joked about my experience. Hispet name for me was “his littlebowling ball”. From surgery I havethree dents in my head where theydrilled into my skull. I promised himhe would never have to go throughthis with me again. In 1998 I ran myfirst half marathon and completed itin two hours and seven minutes… allwas back to normal.

During a Christmas celebration in1999 I had another grand mal seizure.The results of the CAT scan showed nosign of a tumor. Again I needed tostart managing seizures usingmedication, and lost the privilege todrive. Over the next three yearsRichard and I enjoyed our life to thefullest, we bought our first house, gotmarried, and our son, Wesley, wasborn June 9th, 2002.

During my pregnancy it becameharder to manage my seizures. Ithought they would stop after Wesleywas born. In October 2002 I found outI had another tumor. How could this

happen… benign… non-reoccurring???

The second tumor wasremoved on January 8th, 2003.My doctor said to expect thesame side effects as the firsttime. I wondered where Iwould find the strength and

courage to go through thisagain. The night before my

surgery, again I had a partywith family and friends. Itworked well the first time.

When I awoke frommy surgery, I wasthrilled to find myself

able to talk, and move my legs andarms. My right hand was paralyzedfrom the elbow down. Did Imention that I was right-handed?There was not much change in myhand for the first month. During myrecovery our son was six monthsold. Changing diapers, feeding, andholding him was very frustrating. Attimes it was impossible to hold backthe tears. I have always been anindependent, strong-willed person,and it was difficult for me to ask forhelp. I had no choice. With thesupport of our families we wereable to manage. Without them itwould have been next to impossible.

As I recovered, I achieved smallaccomplishments. At first it wasmoving my wrist ever so slightly;then, willing a finger to move; andfinally, picking up one of my son’splastic cups filled with water. Thistime, the experience was muchdifferent. I was no longer aswinging single. I was a mother, awife and a person looking for a jobwhile still recuperating.

In May, 2003 I was told onceagain that there are new, unhealthycells growing, and I would need tohave radiation therapy. This tumorwould be inoperable as these cellsshowed up deeper in the brain. Ihad just started a job in a newindustry that I absolutely loved. Lifewas just getting back to normal. Icould not accept this, and decided I would postpone radiation therapyfor three months. Given my historyand that I have a well-behavedtumor, this was not a significantrisk.

At my last appointment, onSeptember 3rd (my birthday), Ifound out the great news – thatthere was no growth since my lastMRI. My Radiation Oncologistsuggested that I would not needany treatments for the next 3 years.

My family and I are continuingto live life to the fullest. Richard andI still laugh and joke, he no longercalls me his little bowling ball. I nowhave six holes in my head. The mostimportant things that I have learnedabout having to live with a braintumor are positive: I have learned toappreciate everything that life has tooffer, that friends and family areextremely important and to live eachday to its fullest.

Who knows what type of braintumor research about brain tumorsis just around the corner…perhaps aless intrusive treatment, or even acure!

Laurel Fortin and her son, Wesley

I THOUGHT THIS WAS DONE AND

OVER WITH! by Laurel Fortin

The Gerry &Nancy Pencer

Brain Trust is a not-for-profitorganization thatwas developedby the late GerryPencer to make a

difference in the quality oflife of people who live withbrain tumors. This privatefamily foundation is the cata-lyst in the establishment of The Gerry & Nancy PencerBrain Tumor Centre atPrincess Margaret Hospital,Toronto. The Centre is dedicated to providing multi-disciplinary care, treatment,and support for brain tumorpatients and their families.Additionally, the Brain Trust,in collaboration with TheBrain Tumor Centre will seek to facilitate and fund thebest local, national, and inter-national brain tumor researchin the hopes of finding a curefor brain cancer.

The Board of Advisors ofThe Gerry & Nancy PencerBrain Trust include:

• Lawrence S. Bloomberg,Director & Advisor,National Bank of Canada

• Richard Cole, President,R.J. Cole FinancialConsulting Limited

• David Cynamon,Chairman & CEO, KIK Corporation

• Lloyd S.D. Fogler, Q.C.,Partner, Fogler, RubinoffLLP (Law Firm)

• Dianne Lister, LL.B., CFRE,Past President & CEO, The Hospital for SickChildren Foundation

• Dr. Christopher Paige,PH.D, Vice PresidentResearch, The UniversityHealth Network

• Holly Pencer Bellman, Executive Director, The Gerry & Nancy PencerBrain Trust

• Nancy Pencer, President,The Gerry & Nancy PencerBrain Trust

• Dr. Daniel Silver, M.D., FRCP (C)Consultant to the Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai Hospital

• Larry Tanenbaum,Chairman & CEO, Kilmer Van Nostrand Co.Limited

For more informationabout The Brain Trust contact Linda McKie at416-923-2999.

BrainScan is published quarterlyby The Gerry & Nancy PencerBrain Trust. Inquiries or requests to reprint anyof the articles should be directed to MaureenDaniels, Coordinator, The Gerry & Nancy

Pencer Brain Tumor Centre,Princess Margaret Hospital,

610 University Avenue, 18th Floor, Toronto,Ontario M5G 2M9 Tel: 416-946-2240 oremail: maureen.daniels@uhn.on.ca

for Relaxation Therapy Sessions and learn how to“actively relax” despite the obstacles put in yourpath? This program takes place each Wednesdayafternoon from 1:00 pm-1:45 pm, in The PencerCentre. Patients and family members are welcometo participate in this drop-in program, and no priorregistration is required.

Art Therapy. It’s Fall and art therapy is back!Lead by well-known art therapist Gilda Grossman,this program uses art as a means to explore andshare feelings. No prior art experience isnecessary. There is no cost to participate in thisprogram, however space is limited. For a completelist of Fall dates or to register, please call Maureenat 416-946-2240.

Patient Information Binder. Our PatientInformation Binder is as popular as ever. Includedin the latest edition is a copy of “Brainspirations,”a treasury of inspiring stories, poems, and recipespublished by our own Patient & Family AdvisoryCommittee (PFAC). If you are a patient of ThePencer Centre and have not received a copy of ourPatient Information Binder, or require additionalsheets for your existing copy, please contactMaureen Daniels at 416-946-2240.

CD-ROM: Our highly acclaimed CD-ROM, whichcontains over 20 hours of information on braintumors, available treatments, supportive careservices and even real life patient experiences, iseasily accessible via the computer in the ResourceLibrary of The Pencer Centre. In addition, copiesare also available to borrow through the mainPatient & Family Library at Princess MargaretHospital. The staff at The Centre or one of ourresource volunteers would be happy to help youlearn how to use this wonderful tool. If you wouldlike to book a time to come in please callMaureen, at 416-946-2240 or drop by theResource Centre.

PRINTING COURTESY OF:B R A I N S C A N

Editors: Holly Pencer Bellman, Maureen Daniels Project Consultant: Joanne Rosenberg, J.R. CommunicationsRevenue Canada Charitable Business Number: 88177 7569 RR000 Design: Slingshot Communications Inc.

Open House 2003. On Friday, October 31, 2003,The Pencer Centre will hold its 5th Annual OpenHouse. Beginning at 12:00 noon, a variety ofinteresting exhibits and displays will fill the Centre– ranging from those created by the healthcareprofessionals involved in the care and treatment ofpeople living with brain tumors, to those createdby community agencies that offer support to ourpatients. Immediately before the Open House,please join us in the 6th floor auditorium atPrincess Margaret Hospital from 10:30 am to noonfor a presentation by Terry Evanshen, member ofthe Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Grey Cupchampion. Terry will inspire you to look at yourown life in a way you have never done before. Hismoving account of his glory days on the footballfield, a devastating car accident that almost tookhis life and left him without any memory, and thecomeback trail to rebuild his shattered life willshow you the never-ending power of the humanmind to overcome obstacles. Admission to thispresentation is free, but, SEATING IS LIMITED! Toreserve a seat call Maureen at 416-946-2240. Weanticipate a very enthusiastic response, so pleasebook early.

Support Groups for Brain Tumor Patientsand Families. Our support groups run thesecond Tuesday of each month from 7:00-8:30pm.These groups are facilitated by Cheryl Kanter,Neetu Malik, Stephanie Phan and Maureen Danielsat The Pencer Centre. Patients meet as one groupwhile caregivers meet separately in another room.This is a drop-in program and no prior registrationis required. Simply come to The Centre on theevening the group meets.

Relaxation Therapy. Learning to relax despitethe normal pressures of day-to-day life is difficultenough. When you add in a serious medicalcondition, treatment decisions, and newmedications, it becomes even more difficult. Whynot join our occupational therapist Stephanie Phan

8

The Brain Trust has a toll-free number!D I D Y O U K N O W ?

1 - 8 7 7 - 2 8 2 - H O P E 4 6 7 3

Please note that many of the programs running at the Pencer Centre are drop-in programs. This allows people theflexibility to attend when they are able to. On rare occasions, programs may be cancelled on short notice. Therefore, itis always wise to call ahead prior to coming to the Centre, to ensure that the program is running on the day that you

may be planning to attend. Please feel free to call Maureen Daniels at 416-946-2240.