Patients, Supporters Celebrate Fight Against Tumors

For the balance of one evening, the Atlantic NeuroSurgical Specialists (ANS) and their patients were not in the roles of caregiver and care receiver. Those patients and their supporters took Thursday night celebrate the strides they've made in their fight against brain tumors at the ANS Morristown office at the Partnership of Hope's second annual BBQ.

The support group was started by ANS over a year ago and has grown remarkably in size, with more than 120 people attending Thursday’s feast, which included a DJ and a dunk tank. Patients were able to dunk one of the many neurosurgeons on staff.

“Our annual picnic gives us a chance to thank our patients for being such a driving force of inspiration to us all,” Marketing Manager Tom Wood said.

Partnership of Hope meets regularly on the fourth Thursday of every month. Those living with a brain tumor diagnosis and their loved ones get together to dine and exchange personal stories about individual journeys through their illness, but mostly they laugh and celebrate life.

The doctors enjoy mingling with their patients in a social setting. Each meeting features a guest speaker who brings the group a fun way to face the struggles of fighting an illness. Partnership of Hope is for patients of all ages and walks of life who find solace in being around people who know their daily struggles.

Ellen Marvosa said she met another woman from Scotch Plains through the support group.

“That’s what’s great about the group. I did not know anyone in my life going through what I was going through," Marvosa said. "Now I have people I can call or get together with who better understand this part of my life.”

Volunteers also work outside of the meeting to accommodate the everyday needs of patients who are not able to care for themselves. Partnership of Hope offers patients transportation to doctors appointments, prepared meals, child care, grocery shopping, additional counseling, and more.

ANS invites all to attend Partnership of Hope. Please call our dedicated brain tumor support hotline at 855-267-2667 to answer any questions about the group or to attend the next monthly gathering. For more information about ANS, please call 973.285.7800 or visit ansdocs.com.