A new support group for brain tumour survivors will stage its first community awareness event on Saturday with a five kilometre walk and fun day at Southampton Rangers.Shahidah Abdur-Rahim, who founded the Bermuda Brain Tumour Support group, is a survivor who believes there is no better way to recuperate than to do so with the support of others who have shared the experience.She started the group in January because “there are a lot of people in Bermuda who have suffered from brain tumours and anuerisms, plus many more who didn’t survive.”“Many have to go abroad for treatment, in my case when I returned home there was no one to talk to who really could relate to what this experience puts you through. Even before I left Bermuda for treatment, I didn’t know anyone who had been through this that I could talk to.”The group meets once a month, on the first Thursday of every month and it is growing. As of May 3 the meetings will be held at Global House in the boardroom on the first floor at 7pm.The main cause of the non-profit group is to provide a place for people diagnosed with brain tumours, those who have gone through treatment and living survivors to share their concerns and offer advice through first hand experience.Ms. Abdur-Rahim said: “It really helps with learning how to cope. It doesn’t just affect the person diagnosed, it affects their entire family and the emotional support is priceless.”Brain tumour survivors often suffer from ongoing life-changing issues like memory loss and falling down. “I was getting teased a lot by my grand daughter, she would tell me something and I would forget.“She is 12 years-old and I would ask her if she did her homework and then forget. Then I would ask her again and she would laugh at me and say she already told me yes. Everybody’s symptoms are different.”“There are a lot of people who have brain tumours and anuerisms in Bermuda. I don’t know if there’s anything we could do to prevent it but the support group really helps.”The event which is open to people of all ages, starts at 8.30am with registration in the parking lot next to the club. The walk starts at 9am heading west to Barnes Corner and back to Southampton Rangers.Prizes will be presented to the first set of walkers to finish at 11am by Health Minister Zane DeSilva.A light breakfast will be served courtesy of a number of corporate sponsors, who have also donated awards, prizes, music and a fun castle for young children. The event ends at 12.30pm.For more information on the new support group e-mail bermudabraintumor@gmail.com.