Event Topic:
Living with a brain tumour or caring for someone with a brain tumour can be challenging and this can be even more complex for people living in regional or rural areas. Limited access to specialist care, fewer support services, and the emotional and financial strain of travelling for treatment can all be quite difficult to navigate.
In this Q&A session, facilitated by Prof. Mei Krishnasamy (Professor of Nursing, University of Melbourne), you will meet a fantastic panel of people with experience in helping regional residents navigate the health system and find support. They will explore the distinct experiences of regional patients and carers, sharing practical advice on accessing healthcare and finding necessary support services in a rural or regional setting.
Our panel will also do their best to answer YOUR questions, so if you live in a rural or regional area and have questions about how you or your carer can better navigate life with a brain tumour, please include it when you register to attend this webinar.
About our panel members:
- Prof Mei Krishnasamy: Mei is Professor of Nursing (Cancer) at the University of Melbourne.
- Dallas Byron: Dallas is a Brain Cancer Nurse Consultant from Barwon Health, based in Geelong, Victoria.
- Raj Taneja: Raj is the Manager of Carer Support Service at Grampians Health (Carer Gateway consortia partner) and has been living and working in regional Victoria for over 21 years. He is passionate about community service, community support, engagement, and ‘caring for carers’. Raj’s favourite go-to line is: “I may not be able to change the world, but I can certainly make a difference to somebody’s world”.
- Bernadette Degabriele: Bernadette Degabriele is the General Manager of Practice and Programs for Violet, bringing both professional expertise and deeply personal understanding to her role. For over 25 years, Violet has been transforming how Australians navigate life’s final chapters, supporting families and caregivers across Australia through practical guidance, support, and timely conversations. Bernadette combines extensive professional experience with authentic compassion gained through caring for loved ones in their final stages of life and navigating the grief and loss that follows.
- Kate Barber. Kate has worked for many years as an oncology nurse and counsellor. She is the Team Lead for Cancer Council Victoria’s Counselling program and has her own private counselling practice. Kate has had extensive experience providing support for people impacted by brain cancer as well as lived experience caring for family members with brain cancer.
Please note: these webinars are for education purposes only and should not be taken as individual medical advice. Consult with your healthcare team to find out what approach is best for you.
Video:
The webinar was recorded live on 24th July 2025. The recording is now available to watch. Please note the speakers start talking approx 43 seconds into the video. If you have any feedback about the video, or have topics to suggest for future webinars, please complete this short webinar video feedback survey.