BTAA Patient Education & Information Forum Melbourne, 13 October 2024

The Brain Cancer Group is proud to be the Bronze Sponsor for the upcoming COGNO Annual Scientific Meeting being held at the Langham Hotel, Melbourne from 12-15 October.

We are particularly excited to sponsor and co-host the Patient Education and Information Forum in collaboration with Brain Tumour Alliance Australia (BTAA) on Sunday 13 October from 10am – 2:30pm.

This vital session will be facilitated by our dedicated nurse practitioner, Marina Kastelan. Brain cancer experts will be presenting the latest research and news in the morning. The afternoon will be facilitated sessions for patients and carers to share and connect over their experiences.  

We encourage you to register for this informative forum by clicking the link here. These forums are one of the many ways we work towards our mission of providing Research, Education, and Support to brain cancer patients and their carers. If you are unable to attend in person, the event will also be accessible online. Join us in this important opportunity to connect, learn, and advance our shared goals. 

Registrations for the event:

https://events.humanitix.com/btaapatientforum2024

(Streaming session available. Registration needed)

The Program:

Facilitated by Marina Kastelan

Neuro Oncology Nurse Practitioner, The Brain Cancer Group

9.30am - 10.00am | Registrations

Tea and coffee on arrival

10.00am | Opening Remarks

A/Prof Eng-Siew Koh, Chair COGNO

10.10am | Simultaneously Managing a “Bucket List” & a Shopping List: Strategies to Feel and Function Well in the Face of a Brain Tumour.

Dr Erin Dunbar, Director of Neuro-Oncology, Piedmont Atlanta Hospital

10.30am | Molecular Profiling of Brain Tumours

Dr Ben Kong, Medical Oncologist, Prince of Wales Hospital

10.50am | Neuro-Oncology Clinical Trials Update

Dr Malaka Ameratunga, Medical Oncologist, Alfred Health

11.10am | Fatigue and Brain Tumours

Dr Rachel Campbell, University of Sydney, PoCoG

11.20am | Role of Community Brain Cancer Navigator

Jonathan Muller, Community Brain Cancer Navigator,

Peace of Mind Foundation

11.35am to 12.15pm | Q&A Panel Discussion

12.15pm – Lunch

Mindful Meditation video plays for webinar participants

1.15pm | Patient and Carer Sessions

Patient session: Fatigue

Dr Rachel Campbell, Post-doctoral Research Fellow, University of Sydney

Carer session: Caring for the Carer

Dr Rebekah Laidsaar-Powel, Post-doctoral Research Fellow,

University of Sydney

2.15pm | Patient and Carer Sessions Smmary

2.25pm | The benefits of Exercise for Individuals with Brain Cancer -

an Interactive Exercise Session.

Dr Ashley Bigaran Senior Exercise Physiologist, Austin Health

Mr Blake Binion, Exercise Physiologist, Deakin University

2.45 pm – Closing Remarks

Craig Cardinal, Chair BTAA.