NeuroSurgical Research Foundation

03/09/2025

The Neurosurgical Research Foundation is proud to be one of the organisations endorsing the Invisible Brain Cancers white paper, which explores the impact of IDH-mutant gliomas and highlights the social and economic challenges faced by patients and families.

You can read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gHxYUnDf

We also recognise the many organizations whose expertise and dedication have made this report possible, including:

Brain Tumour Alliance Australia (BTAA) | Carrie's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer Foundation | Peace of Mind Foundation | Cure Brain Cancer Foundation | Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research | The Robert Connor Dawes Foundation | Cooperative Trials Group for Neuro-Oncology | Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group | The Brain Cancer Group | The Australian Brain Cancer Research Alliance | Australian Brain Cancer Foundation | Children's Cancer Institute | Clinical Oncology Society of Australia | Australia & New Zealand Society for Neuropathology | Brain Cancer Australia | Rare Cancers Australia | Australia & New Zealand Children’s Haematology/Oncology Group 💛

02/09/2025

Have you thought about the legacy you’d like to leave?

This Include a Charity Week (1–7 Sept), you can write your Will online with 50% off through our partner Willed. It’s a simple way to take care of your loved ones and leave a gift that will help save lives.

A gift in your Will to the NeuroSurgical Research Foundation funds life-changing research into brain tumours, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury. Your legacy could be the breakthrough that brings hope to countless families.

💜 Use promo code IAC50 at checkout
👉 willed.com.au/nrf
📅 Offer ends 7 September.

Together, we can change lives.

29/08/2025

𝗡𝗥𝗙 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Join the NRF at the City-Bay finish line on Sunday 21st September, 9am–12pm.

Help out, hang out, and catch all the action as the runners cross the line.

📩 Sign up or ask questions: ginta@nrf.com.au | 📞8371 0771

24/08/2025

Meet Dr. Simon Sandler, Head of the Neurosurgical Unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

As part of Neurosurgery Awareness Month, we sat down with Dr. Sandler to hear about his journey training and working as a neurosurgeon — the challenges, breakthroughs, and what drives his passion for advancing patient care.

Watch the full interview on our website and get an inside look at this incredible field.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMoJ_uK0T7U&t=2s

23/08/2025

This Neurosurgery Awareness Month, we want to take the time to spotlight local support services for brain injury, stroke, and brain cancer:

✅ Brain Injury SA: Free monthly peer-support groups for those living with acquired brain injury. Register at edward@braininjurysa.org.au | braininjurysa.org.au

✅ Stroke Support Groups: Connect with local groups for stroke survivors and carers. Find one near you at enableme.org.au

✅ Adelaide Brain Tumour Support Group — A safe, online Facebook group with monthly catch-ups for patients, carers, and loved ones.

Sharing support builds stronger communities 💛

Tag someone who might benefit!

21/08/2025

This Neurosurgery Awareness Month, meet Dr. Adam Wells — Adelaide’s Clinical Academic Consultant Neurosurgeon and NRF Abbie Simpson Clinical Fellow.

We sat down with him to get the inside scoop on what it’s really like to work on the front lines of neurosurgery and lead groundbreaking research right here in South Australia.

Curious about the challenges, innovations, and passion behind this incredible field? Watch the full interview now!

https://youtu.be/9R-rKCeatyo

21/08/2025

Who’s running City-Bay with us this year? 🏃‍♂️

Now’s the perfect time to sign up – if you register before August 31, you’ll go in the draw to win $5,000 cash thanks to 🚗💸

Join our team, hit the pavement, and be part of an amazing community event!

👉 Register here and make sure you join our team: https://citybay25.grassrootz.com/nrf
🎟️ More info: https://city-bay.org.au/

Register. Run. Win $5,000!
Sign up for the City-Bay before August 31 and go in the draw to win $5K cash, thanks to our partners at 🚗
🎟️ Head to https://city-bay.org.au/ to enter NOW!

19/08/2025

𝗡𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮

This month, we’re raising awareness about the vital role neurosurgery plays in saving and improving lives across SA:

✅ Thousands of neurosurgeries every year — brain & spine
✅ 3,000+ South Australians live with acquired brain injury
✅ Nearly 5,000 strokes annually, many needing surgery
✅ Up to 300 new brain tumor cases diagnosed each year

Donate today to fund innovative neurosurgical research and improve patient outcomes.

https://drct-nrf.prod.supporterhub.net/donations/neurosurgical-general-appeal

18/08/2025

🧠💙 From nine weeks old, Dean's life was shaped by pioneering neurosurgery. Diagnosed with hydrocephalus in 1957, he received one of the first paediatric shunts in South Australia.

Over the years, Dean underwent 19 operations — each one carefully recorded by his grandmother in a handwritten diary that survives today.

Now 68, Dean is the longest surviving person in Australia with a paediatric VA shunt. His journey is a remarkable story of courage, family strength, and medical innovation.

Dean says, “Have faith in your doctors. Let them think outside the square. I’ve lived a pretty normal life. I’m very thankful to Mr Dinning and Professor Simpson — and their apprentices — for what they’ve done.”

✨ Stories like Dean’s remind us how far neurosurgery has come — and why research today is so important for tomorrow.

📖 Read Dean’s full story on our website: https://www.nrf.com.au/news/deans-story

18/08/2025

𝗡𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝘇 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲! 🧠

What is the “burr hole” procedure used for?

A) Measure blood pressure in the brain
B) Drain a subdural haematoma
C) Replace a section of skull
D) Stimulate the brain during seizures

Think you know the answer? Drop your guess below!

Answer revealed in comments!

14/08/2025

𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲

In celebration of Neurosurgery Awareness Month, we’re spotlighting the voices of three incredible women shaping the future of neuro care.

Neurosurgeon Dr. Xenia Doorenbosch, Neurologist Dr. Chantal Baldwin, and Nurse Consultant Jordana Thomson, share how they support each other, navigate the challenges of their field, and champion more inclusive leadership.

🎥 Watch the full conversation and get inspired:
https://youtu.be/yGTkS8zaY94?si=IVxtmGzOCHcFvTHb

Dr. Chantal Baldwin, Dr. Xenia Doorenbosch, and Jordi, Nurse Consultant at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, share their experiences as women working in p...