A vital new resource offering guidance, advocacy, and hope to families navigating a childhood brain tumour diagnosis
By Julius Ewudo, Cyber Era NG ASEAN Region Representative
Families facing a childhood brain tumour diagnosis now have a trusted new companion on their journey: The Australian Family Handbook for Childhood Brain Tumour. This comprehensive and compassionate guide brings together the expertise of leading Australian health professionals, researchers, and family advocates to provide clear information, practical tools, and emotional support for parents and carers.
Developed and adapted from the Paediatric Brain Tumour Handbook by the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, this Australian edition has been thoughtfully reworded and revised to reflect the local healthcare landscape and the lived experiences of Australian families.
The authorship team — Ashraf Badat, Natalie Bradford, Amanda Carter, Hayley Coulson, Liesje Donkin, Susan Johnson, Janine Kemp, Shannon Lakey, Evonne Miller, Melanie Rolfe, Claire Radford, and Brooke Spencer — have collaborated to ensure that every page speaks with empathy, accuracy, and understanding.
“This handbook was created for families like mine — for anyone suddenly thrown into a world of medical jargon, uncertainty, and fear,” says one of the contributing family advocates. “It’s a reminder that you are not alone, that support is out there, and that hope exists even in the most difficult moments.”
The Australian Family Handbook for Childhood Brain Tumour covers a wide range of topics, including:
• Understanding childhood brain tumours and treatment pathways
• Navigating the Australian healthcare system
• Managing hospital stays and communication with medical teams
• Supporting siblings and family wellbeing
• Accessing community resources, education support, and advocacy networks
Designed to be both practical and comforting, this handbook empowers families to ask questions, make informed decisions, and find reassurance through knowledge and connection.
Book Details
Title: The Australian Family Handbook for Childhood Brain Tumour
Authorship Team: Ashraf Badat, Natalie Bradford, Amanda Carter, Hayley Coulson, Liesje Donkin, Susan Johnson, Janine Kemp, Shannon Lakey, Evonne Miller, Melanie Rolfe, Claire Radford, and Brooke Spencer
Based on: Paediatric Brain Tumour Handbook by the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada
Publisher: Bowerbird Publishing
Publication Date: TBA – Late 2025/Early 2026
Format: Print and Digital Editions
ISBN: 9781764073998 (print) 9781764108201 (ebook)
About the Project
This Australian adaptation was developed with gratitude to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada for their foundational work and with input from Australian families who have lived through the childhood brain tumour experience. The handbook represents a collaboration across disciplines — uniting healthcare professionals, researchers, and community advocates to ensure that every Australian family has access to reliable, compassionate guidance at every stage of their journey.
