A brain cancer diagnosis is one of the toughest challenges any individual or family can face.
Knowing where to get a better understanding of the complexities of the disease and what resources or government services are available can be monumentally overwhelming—and that’s even before any NDIS applications have been started.
The National Advocacy Service (NAS) is a support program unlike any other in Australia and is run via a proud collaboration between Cure Brain Cancer Foundation and Peace of Mind Foundation. NAS directly assists families with accessing support services including the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Centrelink and other government programs.
Since its inception in 2021, NAS has helped to unlock $102.5 million in government funding for brain cancer patients. Patients like John.
John was 62 years old when he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma in January 2024. John and his wife Leslie were on an overseas trip when he was unexpectedly was taken ill.
Their first thought was that John had contracted COVID, but after John had a seizure upon their return to Australia, he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. From that moment on, John, Leslie and their three children were entering a journey of the unknown. It was simply too dangerous to attempt to operate on John’s tumour due to its location in his brain.
John followed an intense treatment program of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and Leslie immediately took indefinite leave from her full-time teaching role to provide support to John.
Not knowing what services and support were available to them, Leslie reached out to NAS. Their dedicated NAS Advocate has worked closely with them since May 2024, and guided them through the Centrelink process when they were both unable to work. When John’s needs increased, his NAS advocate also provided the help and guidance to navigate and bring together an NDIS application.
John and Leslie have also attended face-to-face support group run by the NAS team, where they have actively engaged with other patients going through similar diagnosis and treatments. This has provided invaluable support in the community that they both needed.
NAS continues to assist John and Leslie, ensuring they are engaged with the right support coordinator and have the community support they both need.
Happiest when he’s by the beach, John still enjoys fishing, kayaking and golf. Having an NDIS plan in place means John continues to have independence in his life, even when facing uncertainty.
Part of Cure Brain Cancer’s unwavering mission is to help improve quality of life for people impacted by brain cancer. The National Advocacy Service is invaluable to helping us achieve this.
