On Wednesday November 14, 2012 It’s Just Benign set out to spread its message to the shoppers at Menlo Park Mall in Edison, NJ. Four benign brain tumor survivors and one supporter spent the day educating the public about the serious consequences of a benign brain tumor, as well as introducing them to “It’s Just Benign” ( IJB ). IJB is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of making a positive difference for benign brain tumor survivors and their loved ones, as well as educating the community about this often misunderstood diagnosis.

I met up with my mom at 9:30am that morning at the Community Booth at Menlo Mall, and she helped me set up. Once the IJB sign was out and the literature was in place, we started focusing on education. My mom and I had a great time together. We are both people persons and find it easy to get someone’s attention. Early on we were successfully getting people to sign the mailing list so that they can receive the quarterly email newsletters and also so we can send them contribution envelopes.

Time passed quickly and at 11:30 the next volunteer showed up. Maggie B, a fellow IJB member and survivor, schlepped from Manhattan to Edison. I was excited and thrilled to meet another survivor who believes in It’s Just Benign’s mission. Maggie is so nice. We had a great time yapping and comparing notes. Not long after Maggie arrived, Pam K. arrived. It was like we all knew each other forever. We had a great time talking however, I needed to remind everyone that we were there to educate. Talking was fine but, I didn’t want us to lose focus.

The time passed by really quickly. Pam needed to get back to work and left around two. Maggie left at 3:30 and the last survivor/volunteer arrived a few minutes after Maggie left. Dan stayed with me until five, and at that time we started cleaning up.

I think the day was a major success. I met another survivor, we had more volunteers than usual, and we also found a number of locals who were interested in volunteering, donating, or supporting It’s Just Benign in whatever way they could.

Maggie me and Pam.

My mom and me.

My mom at our table.