Jason Binder, the founder of Aware Coaching, is a dedicated husband and father of five. His caregiving journey began unexpectedly when his wife, Tracy, a lively marathon runner and mother, received a diagnosis of glioblastoma, a terminal brain cancer. This news came just weeks after they had moved into their dream farmhouse. Drawing on his background in pharma and his experience as a change agent, Jason quickly mobilized a support network, leveraging both his professional connections and the strength of his local community to ensure Tracy received the best possible care. His story is one of resilience, as he navigated the emotional and logistical challenges of caregiving while maintaining a sense of hope and purpose for his family.

Throughout our conversation, Jason shares candidly about the toll that long-term caregiving has taken on his mental and physical health, as well as the impact on his children and marriage. He discusses the importance of building a strong support system—what he calls the “three and twelve”—and the need for emotional resilience, especially for men in caregiving roles. Jason’s commitment to advocacy extends beyond his own family; through Aware Coaching, he offers free support and resources to other families affected by brain cancer, aiming to change the narrative around male caregivers and reduce the alarming rate at which female patients are abandoned during serious illness. His story is both inspiring and deeply human, offering valuable insights and hope to anyone facing similar challenges.

About Jason:

Jason Binder is a caregiver, advocate, and founder of Aware Coaching, a free support service for families impacted by brain cancer. His journey began when his wife, Tracy, was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2022, thrusting him into the uncharted territory of high-stakes caregiving while raising five children. Drawing from his background as a pharmaceutical executive in oncology, Jason blends professional expertise with lived experience to help others navigate the emotional, relational, and practical realities of cancer.

Through Aware Coaching, Jason offers coaching and AI-driven tools like the GBM AI Agent to provide patients and caregivers with real-time answers, hope, and connection. He is also the creator of BrainStorm Health, a substack platform using anonymized caregiver and patient conversations to identify unmet needs and influence care innovation.

Jason’s work is rooted in a belief that no one should face a brain cancer diagnosis alone — and that emotional resilience and relational health are as essential to quality of life as medical treatment. He speaks candidly about the toll caregiving takes, the importance of community, and the need for better integration of patient and caregiver voices in research, clinical trials, and healthcare policy.

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Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

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Website: www.confessionsofareluctantcaregiver.com

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