Hello Supporters &  Members. Excuse the layout of this message. I format this email very nicely and NING, the template, messes it up.

I'd first like to welcome all of the newest members to the website. I hope that you can find the support and information that you need on this site and I hope that you are much more at peace and feeling less isolated having access to this community. I am.

I just hung up from speaking with Terry Guy, who is a member of my support group in Central NJ. We were on the phone for about 40 minutes discussing how our benign brain tumor has affected our lives, how we want to connect with more survivors, how she wants to help me with my work for It’s Just Benign, etc. It was such a nice call and a new experience for me. Discussing my tumor with other survivors is still new to me. Thank you Terry, for really helping me understand how we can all benefit from It’s Just Benign. You’ve helped me understand how all of this “work” I’ve been doing is turning into something very special. 

It’s Just Benign had its first fund-raiser on May 3^rd. It was at an old-fashioned pizza/ice-cream shop in Metuchen, NJ. I’d like to thank Patricia Garner for making really cute flyers and for telling all her friends and family to join us. She played a big role in making that night a success for IJB. Thank you Pat!

Local members Lauren, Pam, AJ, Terry, etc. also showed up. So did my awesome webmaster Steve. I’m touched that many of my family friends came to the fund-raiser and so did my sister Alison, her husband Andy, and their beautiful daughter Ava ( who just turned 1). My mom, who was key to my survival, was there. It was a successful event and a terrific night. Pics will be online soon.

Brochures- finally, the brochures are almost done. I've sent some out already, although a few tweaks still need to be fixed. However, in another week or two I should have the final version printed. Steve, my webmaster, will probably put them online in case any of you want to print them.

Forums- I opened up a new & an old forum. There is a new Q & A that will be answered by neurosurgeon Dr. Shabbar Danish. He already answered one Q & A and his bio is on the website, too. Ask him anything on your mind or of any concern to you (about your brain tumor experience). I also opened an old forum to be answered by an ophthalmologist and an audiologist and/or ear,nose & throat physician (ENT). Please only ask questions to those physicians on those forums. I need to be able to follow and track the questions easily.

Looking for bloggers- I'm looking for some bloggers, a few someone's who can write 2 or 3x/week. I'd be thrilled if a sibling could write one and am looking for parent's of a young survivor to write another. Please message me if interested. I'd be happy with anyone who is interested.

NJ members get together on July 9th- IJB has many new members from South Jersey thanks to the Asbury Park Press article from March (link on IJB Press page). I’d like for us all to meet. My membership in central NJ would love to connect with S. Jersey members. We are willing to drive about 1 hr 15-30 minutes South. We could meet in Toms River, South River or about 1.5 hour drive South from central NJ. Please let me know who would like to meet. I’d like ideas about possible locations, the city and how to spend the day. I’m open to all suggestions. Remember, we all have side-effects so numerous ideas are already excluded. The location should be in a relatively quiet area, near public transportation, and inexpensive, etc. Just think about who would be coming. This day is designed for survivors to really connect and speak to eachother about side-effects, procedures, medicine, etc. This day is to help you live a happy life again, to get whatever answers you need. We can have a fun day another time. All members are welcome to join us.

NJ Support Group- Switching locations is a bigger production than expected. I am taking care of what's needed and everything should be taken care of within a week. However, please check the website or call me to confirm the location for the next meeting.

Tee-shirts - Purchase your own It's Just Benign tee-shirt at the store. Observe the reaction when passers-by start wondering what your shirt is about. What will you tell them? Rebecca found out first hand what that was like. The shirts give you an opportunity to educate about your experience. Please email me pics of you in your shirt. I'll add it to the Members About Town tab showing of your shirt.

Events- Please start checking the events section on a routine basis. I will include worldwide events that are helping benign brain tumor survivors. 

Mary Tyler Moore- According to People magazine, the actress had brain surgery for a menengioma. I will be writing a letter to the editor about IJB and the many survivors online. Please send a letter to the editor if you want to share how IJB is helping you. This could be an opportunity to get attention on ben. BTs and funding for IJB so we can all meet and have speakers, webinars, etc.

Unwanted members- I received all of your messages about Mary Jumbo. Please message me the intruders name whenever this happens next. Trust that I will suspend him/her. I don’t think that I can respond to all of you, but thank you for contacting me about these intruders.

Groups- There are a number of groups designed for specific issues. There are depression & anxiety,religious discussions, singles & social interactions, childhood survivors now adults, etc. There is now a S. Jersey group. Let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions.

 Other tabs- I want to expand the IJB Kids Team area. Please let me know if your child wants to contribute to helping other children in his or her situation. I also would like you to check out the Down Days tab and email me your answer. It will help other survivors, like yourself.

Ads-I have some 4x6 glossies with It's Just Benign mission statement on them. Let me know if any of you want some to give to your neurologist or any specialist. They are to be used to attract new members online and also to help you find locals for yourself. If interested message me with your address.

Store & other donations- Just a friendly reminder that IJB has links to many online stores. There are presently no more grants coming IJBs way. In order to pay for for more Q & A's and other help for the membership, there needs to be incoming revenue. A donation is tax-deductible. Please order through IJB's store, if you shop online. I also will be working on a form that will be available to print here. It is an easy way for you to ask individuals to donate to IJB. It will explain what the donation will be used for, etc. It will help you and it is tax-deductible. It's a win-win.

That's all the news. Have a fantastic summer!

Sincerely,

Beth Rosenthal

It's Just Benign

Executive Director & Survivor

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