Children's Brain Tumour Association (CBTA)

Founded 1999
President: Rosemary Sandalis
Secretary: Ann Osborne
Treasurer: Margaret Whitehead

The CBTA Story

A group of parents whose children suffer from brain tumours formed the CBTA because they believed that contact with others who share similar situations could be of great practical and emotional benefit. CBTA raises funds to support the needs of the Oncology Unit, and provides support programs.

Annual Report

I would like to start by thanking all of you, the committee members, for your continuing support and the enthusiasm and commitment that you show for the CBTA year after year. I know that we are all very busy people, but we obviously have something in common and that is the dedication we have for our children. Without this commitment, the CBTA could not continue to provide support to families who unfortunately have to deal with a child who has been diagnosed with a brain or spinal tumour. Thank you.

The continued support to families is met by informal meetings, gatherings, such as family barbeques, which have been organised by Ann Osborne and Mary McGowan, who always do an amazing job. It is a good way for families to get together in an informal way, chat, and have fun with the kids at the same time. The last family barbeque was in April. It was a very successful day despite the cold weather. It was great to see families getting together and supporting each other.

The Christmas parties that are organised by Terry, Jaynene Clark and their daughters Danielle and Leah continue to be another fun way for families to meet and have fun while supporting each other.

Information evenings continue to be organised by Helen Stewart. These evenings cover a range of topics, from newly diagnosed brain tumours to social difficulties that the kids can experience. A parent survey has also been organised to gather information on what families would like to know more about and if they find gatherings and information evenings useful. Thank you to Margaret Whitehead and Karin Coverdale.

The CBTA has continued to fundraise throughout the year. It has had a very successful past 12 months in fundraising. The first major fundraiser was organised and held in October 2005. This was a great success and a wonderful, entertaining evening. It raised approximately $21,000 to go towards assisting parents to purchase wigs for children who have suffered permanent or partial hair loss due to treatment for a brain tumour. The evening could not have occurred if it wasn’t for the dedication of the team at Box Hill TAFE who dedicated and volunteered their services. The people involved were Gareth Mulvey, Anthony Bailey, Suzanne Golomb and all the catering department, the fashion department and hairdressing department of Box Hill TAFE, and Mary McGowan.

There has been another evening organised for this year, which also promises to be a successful evening. It is the “Enhancing the Future” dinner to be held on 17 November 2006 at Box Hill Fountains Restaurant. Once again, Box Hill TAFE has shown their support of this event. The dinner is to continue to raise funds for CBTA so that we can continue to assist families whose child has had to undergo treatment for a brain or spinal tumour have been left with some type of permanent or partial disability, for which the child may require the assistance of some type of physical aid. CBTA will also continue to assist with wigs and with neurphysic assessments.

Other means of fundraising have continued this year via tin distribution, which Angela Barbuto organises. Sausage sizzles, are a regular event every couple of months. The last sausage sizzle raised $500. There was a great effort from David Osborne’s workplace in raising $2231 from a raffle. It was also great to hear that Ann & David Osborne’s daughter raised $400 for CBTA at a school event.

All these fundraising events are a credit to CBTA as they assist to raise awareness.

I would like to see CBTA continue to support parents and families throughout the year and to increase awareness out in the community so that we may improve or provide better facilities for the children and their families while going through some tough times.

Peter Schwab has agreed to continue his support of CBTA as a Patron.

I would like to conclude by applauding all the above initiatives and I look forward to continuing and expanding such fundraising activities, and parent and family support.

Equipment purchased by CBTA

Oncology
Photographic equipment for Oncology research
$1,030
Also funds research and acts as a support group.

Last Updated 19-Sep-2008. Authorised by: Sue Manson. Enquiries: Sue Manson.