Attending brain tumor conference(s) can have tremendous benefits on a brain tumor patient & their family. It provides one with the opportunity to chat with the top clinicians, nurses & physicians in brain tumor treatment from across the country. Plus there is a wealth of information available in workshops, lectures, vendors, etc.

Ideally, every newly diagnosed patient would be exposed to the information provided by the speakers at these conferences-a toolbox of information!!

The best reason to attend a conference is to meet the other survivors, caregivers, & clinicians in attendance. It is a very powerful forum to be surrounded by others that really understand what it is to have had a brain tumor. You are given the reassurance that you are not alone in the journey from the largest support group you shall ever experience. You will build an invaluable network of friends and health professionals.

There is a growing number of regional conferences by various medical centers, and organizations. Yet,.the big events are still hosted by the "Big Four" brain tumor support organizations. Most offer limited scholarships to help those in financial need attend.

• American Brain Tumor Association;
  Des Plaines, IL
  
  ABTA hosts regional symposiums, in addition to it's biennial conference. This conference is held in the Greater Chicago Area in years ending with odd numbers (i.e., 1997; 1999; 2001; 2003;...)
  
  
  
• National Brain Tumor Foundation;
  Oakland, CA
  
  The NBTF co-hosts a conference in conjunction with MD Anderson in Houston, Texas. This biennial event is usually held during March in years ending with odd numbers (i.e., 1997; 1999; 2001; 2003;...) On even-ending years, (2000; 2002;...) NBTF 's gala event is held in March often in Northern California. They also offer other regional events and teleconferences.
  
  
  
• Florida Brain Tumor Association;
  Coral Springs, FL
  
  FBTA's premier event is held in even-ending years in Ft Lauderdale during January. They will co-host a symposium with ABTA in the Tampa, FL area in 2002.
  
  
  
• The Brain Tumor Society;
  Watertown, MA
  
  TBTS serves predominantly the New England Area. They host a number of events in this area, along with their conference--usually held in the New England area in late autumn.