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Brain Tumor Support Conversations

The Brain Tumor Support Conversations are an online support group run by the brain tumor community for the brain tumor community. This group is attended by patients and care partners who have had firsthand experience with the challenges and effects of a brain tumor diagnosis.

This support group is a welcoming space where patients and loved ones can have honest, supportive discussions about the feelings and emotions that accompany any aspect of the brain tumor experience.

These online support group conversations are held on the third Sunday of each month from 7-8 p.m. ET/4-5 p.m. PT. After signing up with your email, you will receive a confirmation email, and it will allow us to stay in touch with you. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Upcoming Brain Tumor Support Conversations

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Facilitators

Volunteer facilitators Shawn Carey, Holly Gainsboro, and Lisa O’Leary host regular, open, and honest online support groups for the brain tumor community to connect with each other on topics that matter to them.

Shawn Carey

Shawn Carey became a dedicated volunteer with the National Brain Tumor Society following the death of his mother, Wendy, due to glioblastoma in 2018. Nearly one year later, he joined his brother and father in Washington, D.C., for NBTS’s signature advocacy event, Head to the Hill. Since then, Shawn has remained an active volunteer with NBTS. He utilizes his professional background in public relations and communications to share his story to bring awareness and build connections to move the quality of care forward for patients with brain tumors and their care partners.

I believe one of the greatest opportunities a person can do in this life is to be of service to others. Walking alongside patients and families as they navigate a brain tumor diagnosis is a privilege and a demonstration of their trust that I take to heart. It’s a community where your experience is welcomed and your voice matters.
Shawn Carey

Holly Gainsboro

Holly Gainsboro has been involved with the National Brain Tumor Society as a volunteer for over a decade, chairing/co-chairing events, advocating, and sharing her family’s story. Holly’s late husband, Steven Gainsboro, passed away in December 2010 from glioblastoma, so her depth of understanding of how this disease affects not only patients, but their families as well, enables her to be fully present for others in the brain tumor community.

My late husband, Steven, was diagnosed with GBM in February 2009 and died 22 months later on December 11, 2010. Being Steven’s caregiver was the greatest privilege of my life, and it could also be incredibly difficult. Back then, there weren’t groups like Brain Tumor Support Conversations available where I could gather with others who understand the journey, so it sometimes felt very isolating. I am honored to co-facilitate BTSC and hold space for those in our brain tumor community. Nobody should have to do this alone.
Holly Gainsboro

Lisa O’Leary

Lisa is a former care partner to her late husband Patrick, who passed from glioblastoma. Lisa’s formal and professional experience as a lawyer well suits her as a knowledgeable and engaged advocate, whose experience navigating the health care system as an advocate on behalf of her partner, and her personal journey of recovery after his loss, lends tremendous experience to others.

My husband, Patrick, was diagnosed with GBM in 2014. He died only 11 months after his first seizure. Widowed at 31, I felt lost and alone. It wasn’t until getting involved with NBTS that I started to feel useful again. I’m grateful my experience can offer support to this community.
Lisa O'Leary

Brain Tumor Support Conversations

Upcoming Brain Tumor Support Conversations