Brain Tumor Network Launches Pediatric Navigation Program

On April 18, 2022, Brain Tumor Network officially launched our pediatric brain tumor navigation program. This program will provide age-appropriate services for families with children under the age of 18 affected by a primary brain tumor. The pediatric brain tumor navigation program is made possible by a $250,000 grant from the Dianne T. and Charles E. Rice Family Foundation.

Led by Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Nurse Navigator Jenna Tozzi, BA, RN, BTN’s pediatric services will include diagnosis and treatment options education, treatment center identification, facilitation of second opinions with pediatric brain tumor specialists, personalized clinical trial identification and assistance with enrollment, resources for family support, and medical records collection and management. As the program grows, additional services will be added as they are identified. Learn more about our pediatric services and get support here.

“The initiation of our pediatric navigation program will further BTN’s mission to ensure that all families struggling with a child’s brain tumor diagnosis get the help and support they so desperately need,” says BTN president and founder Rick Sontag. “We have been inundated with requests from families, providers, and other organizations in the brain tumor community to provide these services. The Dianne T. and Charles E. Rice Family Foundation is the catalyst in making this program – which will help thousands of families – a reality.”

BTN’s services are provided at no cost to patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Additionally, BTN does not receive funding from medical institutions or pharmaceutical companies and does not receive reimbursement or insurance coverage for services, resulting in the ability to provide completely unbiased services.

The two-year grant from the Dianne T. and Charles E. Rice Foundation, which was made in memory of foundation board president Celeste Rice Green’s late husband, John, includes a “challenge” component, wherein the foundation will match all donations to the pediatric program up to $250,000 during the grant period. To date, BTN has raised over $125,000 from individual donors and private foundations. To support BTN’s pediatric program and contribute to the challenge, please click here.