A message to all members of It's Just Benign

Hello members!  I hope that you're enjoying this holiday weekend. I wanted to update you on all of the exciting changes on www.ItsJustBenign.org. I think that they are all positive changes and I hope you feel the same. This newsletter will be different than past ones and I hope you enjoy reading this more. Please give me your feedback. First I need to thank those members who have contributed to helping It's Just Benign expand and become more interesting.

Thank you to those members who donated the suggested donation amount or more to It's Just Benign. You will see your name on the donation page. Also, several members have ordered IJB tee-shirts. I hope that you'll take a pic of yourself in the shirt and I'll add it to the advocacy tab. You are helping educate about benign brain tumors each time you wear that shirt. A very special thank you to Daniel Lebar, a member of the local group I run. He, along with my webmaster, stood out in the pouring rain for several hours during the Barclay PGA Tournament a couple of weeks ago. Members Pamela Lynn Kline and Bruce David Rubenstein planned on volunteering, too, but logistical problems happened and they couldn't make it. I appreciate the effort.

Interesting blogs that you might enjoy:

Member Matthew David Craig started a blog called trigeminal schwannoma. He brings up issues we all can relate to, I think. He discusses his symptoms, starting a new job at the time of his diagnosis, and questions if stress affects any of you.

Judy Garner Ortiz wrote about insurance frustration and I wrote a blog about changes in friendship post diagnosis. Can we all relate to these issues??

Interesting forums that might help you:

Tom Moran is looking for members near him, in Toronto. Message him if interested in connecting.

Alice Marin started a forum question whether she should wear a Medic Alert bracelet or necklace. That has been a hot topic in my home. What's your opinion?

I have also opened two new forums that It's Just Benign Board Advisors will answer. My pain specialist, and doctor who saved my life, Kevin T. Sperber, MD. will be an advisor. There is a forum question  about pain and I included his name in it. Please follow that forum with all of your quesions and he will answer them once there are about 15 questions.

I also started another forum for another Board Advisor to answer, neurosurgeon Shabbur F. Danish, MD. Please follow the link for the forum as well. You can read their bios under About IJB.

Other news:

It's Just Benign needs financial help if we hope to raise awareness about BBTs, to educate, and to help more survivors. One way of doing this is by getting all types of companies to sponsor a local support group or the website. Sponsoring is a tax-deductible donation. IJB can also advertise online, but it isn't a tax deductilbe donation. There is a detailed letter and a PowerPoint Presentation about this under the About IJB tab.  Please look at it and think if you have any contacts that you can ask.

PSA ( Public Service Announcement)- It's Just Benign has its first PSA out. It's educating about benign brain tumors. You can listen from your computer or radio at these stations:

943thepoint.com

1057thehawk.com

Wobm.com

Public Speaking Engagement- I have another public speaking engagement on September 19th. I will be speaking on "Surviving & Thriving" at Monmouth Medical Center. Information is on the homepage if you are interested in going. It will be much more than only me speaking. It is all about non-malignant and benign brain tumors. I urge you to look at the details.

Last, but not least...

I'm not sure if the newest members know that I started this. I am a childhood survivor, who was very sick for decades, and I'm not a business woman, not a jack of all trades, etc. We are all in the same boat and I do the best I can. In fact, I need support myself. I welcome all feedback if you have any concerns or if I offend you, but I do not have room in my life for harsh criticism. I understand we are all dealing with many mixed emotions, but please do not take your anger out on me. I'm trying to make this a better world for all of us.

Anyway, I think that's it. I hope that you check out all of the changes to www.ItsJustBenign.org.

Thank you,

Beth Rosenthal

It's Just Benign

Founder & Survivor

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