TAAF Brain Buddy Program
The TAAF Brain Buddy Porgam is a lifeline for patients and their families
The TAAF Brain Buddy Program 
connects individuals affected by brain aneurysms, AVMs, and other cerebrovascular malformations to a survivor volunteer who provides peer-to-peer support. Our Brain Buddies share their lived experiences, offer emotional support, and point individuals to TAAF’s resources, all while refraining from providing medical advice. From the moment a patient joins our virtual support groups, they are immediately connected with a Brain Buddy—creating an instant support system.
What Makes It Special?
The Brain Buddy program isn’t just a support network—it’s a community. What began as an organic peer support initiative has grown into a powerful network—a mini army of dedicated survivor volunteers who guide others through recovery. These volunteers understand what it's like to walk the difficult path of recovery and offer the empathy, hope, and resilience that can only come from someone who’s lived through it.
How It Works
- Instant Connection: Patients who register for TAAF’s virtual support groups are immediately paired with a TAAF Brain Buddy, ensuring they have someone to talk to right away.
- One-on-One, Personalized Support: TAAF Brain Buddies provide tailored, individual support based on each patient’s unique recovery journey.
- Peer-to-Peer Support: TAAF Brain Buddies share their personal recovery journeys, provide emotional support, and offer practical tips for navigating life after diagnosis.
- Guidance for Families & Caregivers: Loved ones can also benefit from TAAF Brain Buddy insights, helping them feel supported as they navigate caregiving challenges.
- Ongoing Support: TAAF Brain Buddies remain available beyond the initial introduction, allowing patients to build lasting relationships with someone who truly understands.
- Safe & Compassionate Space: A welcoming, judgment-free environment for emotional and practical guidance.
- Unique & Free Resource: A one-of-a-kind program providing immediate, no-cost peer support not offered by any other organization.
- Part of the TAAF Family: Patients gain access to TAAF’s larger support network, including virtual support groups, educational resources, advocacy initiatives, and a strong community of survivors.
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Bringing Brain Buddies to the Bedside
TAAF is working closely with medical teams across the country—including our friends at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia Neurosurgery—to build a future where no patient has to face a brain aneurysm or AVM diagnosis alone. The goal is simple but powerful: to connect patients with emotional support at the moment they need it most, whether just after diagnosis or in the days following treatment.
Together with hospitals and care teams, we hope to offer early access to the TAAF Brain Buddy Program—helping patients bypass the overwhelming search for support and instead receive a warm handoff to someone who’s walked a similar path. While this isn’t yet standard practice, these partnerships mark a major step forward in making peer support part of the healing process from day one.
The TAAF Brain Buddy program offers immediate, personalized support through peer-supported recovery journeys. It provides guidance for families and caregivers in a safe, judgment-free environment. This unique, no-cost support also connects individuals to a broader network of resources and groups, ensuring no one faces their diagnosis or recovery alone.
