NJ Brain Tumor Survivor Offers Education and Support to Other Benign Brain Tumor Survivors with "It's Just Benign" Website

EDISON, NJ, April 30, 2013 (Press-News.org) Beth Rosenthal is using her own medical challenges as a springboard for helping others. In 1985, the previously healthy and energetic Beth was diagnosed with a brain stem glioma at the age of 11. Although the tumor was benign, it had to be removed because its location at the brain stem could impair many bodily functions and eventually lead to her death. Her treatments included two craniotomies followed by several weeks of radiation therapy.

While these procedures saved Beth's life, they resulted in many permanent side effects that began to manifest during her teenage years. These side effects included weakness on the left side of her body, problems with balance, walking, loss of hearing in the left ear and excruciating facial pain (trigeminal neuralgia). In addition, she suffered anxiety, depression and a sense of loss of her "normal" life. In spite of these difficulties, Beth managed to graduate from high school and college.

However, she felt that few people actually understood how this benign brain tumor had changed her life. Since most support groups focused on individuals with malignant brain tumors, there was a lack of information and support for those with benign brain tumors. For many years after her diagnosis and treatment, she never came across anyone who has had the same health experiences. She wanted to meet a benign brain tumor survivor. Whenever she did an online search for benign brain tumors, she was always led to brain cancer websites and started to become very discouraged. She decided that she wanted to take the lead and create a website for benign brain tumor survivors.

In 2008, she launched the website ItsJustBenign.org to help benign brain tumor survivors meet and chat with other survivors who can understand their experiences, side-effects, and their world. In January 2010, the organization officially qualified as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, making donations tax-deductible. According to Beth Rosenthal, "There really isn't anything else out there for benign brain tumor survivors. My mission is to provide support for our members worldwide, especially by providing peace of mind to those recently diagnosed. It's Just Benign will provide the best service to our members, since they are our reason for maintaining a connection. No one has to fight the battle alone."

Rosenthal hopes to eventually have a team of specialists available to offer full support to other survivors. She currently has an advisory board that supports and guides the organization, as well as participates in Q & A's from members. Members of the advisory board include Shabbar F. Danish, MD, Director, Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Director, RWJ Brain Tumor Center, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Kevin T. Sperber, MD, Vice Chairman of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, North Bronx Healthcare Network.

Ms. Rosenthal's other goal is to educate the general population about the consequences. "A benign brain tumor diagnosis is confusing for many people. They hear "benign" and can't understand why benign brain tumors are so damaging, affect one's quality of life, and in some cases become fatal. This is a very neglected diagnosis, often not discussed in our community, and it makes survivors feel isolated. People don't understand that adult and children survivors often face long term physical, psychological, social, and career challenges. Feel free to visit our site, http://www.itsjustbenign.org and please do join and help us support this cause."

About It's Just Benign
With over 1000 members globally, It's Just Benign, Inc. - founded in 2008 - is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is recognized as the world's first and only organization devoted entirely to providing information, support an d a means of communication to benign brain tumor survivors. It's Just Benign has achieved a 5 star ranking on GreatNonprofits.org, a website for locating trustworthy nonprofits.

It's Just Benign is funded and sustained entirely through sponsorships and the generosity of tax-deductable private donations.

Website: http://www.ItsJustBenign.org
Follow It's Just Benign on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ItsJustBenign
Become a fan of It's Just Benign on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ItsJustBenign