Brain Tumor Patients and Their Caregivers Find Hope Online

Tug McGraw Foundation’s new website, www.tugmcgraw.org, helps those affected by brain tumors get the information they need to live better.

NAPA VALLEY, CA April 24, 2006 – While the search for a cure for brain cancer continues, those struggling with the disease – or caring for those who do – are looking for ways to make the most of each day. As Brain Tumor Awareness Week (May 1 – 7) approaches, a new website, www.tugmcgraw.org, has been launched by national brain tumor research organization, the Tug McGraw Foundation, to give survivors, their families, and their caregivers, much-needed information to improve their quality of life.

“In addition to the overwhelming physical impact, brain tumors often significantly impact how patients think, feel, behave, and relate to others,” said Foundation CEO, Jennifer Brusstar. Brusstar was a close friend and caregiver for Tug McGraw, famed Phillies and Mets relief pitcher who established the Foundation before dying of brain cancer in 2004. She, along with Tug’s son, Grammy-winning country singer Tim McGraw, witnessed first-hand the toll that the disease took on the elder McGraw. “Depression posed another challenge for Tug as he was being treated for brain cancer,” said Brusstar, who worked to keep her own spirits up while caring for her friend during his year-long fight to survive. She hopes that caregivers and families will find useful tips on the site to help them cope with the emotional exhaustion that often accompanies caring for ailing loved ones. [Editors: See “10 Tips for Cancer Caregivers”]

The website was designed with the help of Jeff McMahon, a Foundation board member and keyboard player for Tim McGraw’s Dancehall Doctors. “One thing we really wanted to provide with the new site was reassurance,” said McMahon. “When confronted with something like a brain tumor, some folks just want to know what they are dealing with, while others find comfort in knowing that someone else has gone through what they are going through. Above all else, we want people to know that they don’t have to deal with this disease alone.”

There are approximately 200,000 people who are living with the diagnosis of a brain tumor. Each year, over 100,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with a primary or metastatic brain tumor. Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer death in children under the age of 20, and are the third leading cause of cancer death in young adults ages 20-39.

For more information about brain tumor research and ways to improve the quality of life for those affected by brain tumors, visit www.tugmcgraw.org.

The Tug McGraw Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) organization based in Napa, California. It was founded by former major league baseball player Tug McGraw in 2003 to help brain tumor survivors and their families live well by funding quality of life research and raising public awareness about brain tumors. The Foundation has established the Tug McGraw Center for Quality of Life and Supportive Care Research in Neuro-Oncology at Duke University, provides grants for brain tumor research, and awards scholarships to college students who exemplify Tug’s “Ya Gotta Believe” attitude.