former caregiver hugs Margaretta Page, nurse coordinator for the UCSF Caregiver Program

UCSF Neuro-Oncology Gordon Murray Caregiver Program

At UCSF, we understand that a brain tumor diagnosis affects not only our patients, but also their families and loved ones. The goal of this program is to ensure that family members and loved ones have the resources they need to feel prepared for their new roles as caregivers.



 

Services Available

Personal Consultations

Two people holding hands on a couch
Members of the caregiver team are available to offer one-on-one consultations in which individually tailored support is offered to caregivers throughout the illness.

Support Group

Mary Lovely, RN and Rosemary Rossi
This monthly support group is facilitated by our neuro-oncology social worker, and is open to caregivers of UCSF neuro-oncology patients.

Peer Support

Two former caregivers hug at the UCSF Neuro-Oncology Caregiver Retreat 2018
This program connects caregivers for peer support. Our trained volunteers are available to share their experiences and provide confidential emotional, practical, and informational support.

Exercise Program

Woman doing sit-ups
The Workout for Wellness (WoW) program provides exercise classes for brain tumor patients and survivors to help support their individual wellness goals and encourage physical activity.

Caregiver Events

UCSF nurse Margaretta Page, RN
The UCSF Neuro-Oncology Gordon Murray Caregiver Program offers a variety of in-person and virtual events throughout the year.

Caregiver Resources

Resources for family caregivers
Our team has compiled educational resources for caregivers of loved ones with brain tumors, including caregiving handbooks and recorded webinars.

We also offer specialized social work and case management, and have a social worker dedicated to sharing resources and solving problems that are unique to the brain tumor experience. Learn more >

If you are the caregiver of a UCSF Neuro-Oncology patient, or a medical institution looking to develop a similar program, please feel free to contact us at (415) 514-5674.

Learn how the Christina Capurro Sand Brain Tumor Fund has extended similar caregiver services and resources at Marin General Hospital and Napa Valley Neurosurgery Clinic.

 

Our Team

Family Advisory Council

To ensure that we are supporting the needs of the entire family, we regularly meet with a team of experienced caregivers of brain tumor patients. These members form the Family Advisory Council, and provide input and feedback on programming decisions. Family Advisory Council members also support the program by volunteering at our special events and organizing fundraising efforts. Many members of the council also serve as peer caregivers in our peer-to-peer support program. 

 

A Program Inspired by Gordon Murray

 

The UCSF Neuro-Oncology Gordon Murray Caregiver Program is named in honor of Gordon Murray, who was treated at UCSF for brain cancer and passed away in 2011. Grateful for the state-of-art care Mr. Murray received at UCSF, his wife Randi Murray led a fundraising campaign to build a program that helps families get the resources they need throughout the difficult experience of diagnosis, treatment, and bereavement.

Joined by philanthropists Cathy and Mike Podell, and Marritje and Jamie Greene, the Murray family raised over $2 million to establish the UCSF Neuro-Oncology Gordon Murray Caregiver Program, in addition to funding the construction of additional research laboratories at the Brain Tumor Center. Continued support comes from philanthropic donations.

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Gordon Murray discusses the impact of UCSF

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