At the Raymond A. Wood Foundation, we understand that grief is a profound and personal journey—one that deserves support, understanding, and compassion. That’s why we are honored to introduce Holly Gainsboro, our new Grief Support Specialist and Grief Support Group Facilitator. Holly brings a deep personal understanding of loss and a passion for helping others navigate the complexities of grief.
A Personal Journey of Loss and Resilience
Holly’s journey into grief support began with her own heartbreaking experience. On February 12, 2009, her late husband, Steven Gainsboro, was diagnosed with glioblastoma. In that moment, everything changed. What she later came to understand as anticipatory grief—grieving the loss before it fully arrives—became part of her daily reality.
“I remember feeling like I was having an out-of-body experience – this couldn’t be happening and how is this happening to us,” Holly recalls. “I never asked why, but I couldn’t process that this was real for a couple of days.”
Despite the devastating diagnosis, Holly and Steven made a conscious decision to live with hope and gratitude. They embraced joy where they could, even as they faced fear, sadness, and uncertainty. Steven approached his illness with resilience, never complaining and believing in the possibility of long-term survival. But 22 months later, he passed away—and with that, a new, deep grief took hold.
Finding Purpose in Supporting Others
It was through her own grief that Holly felt called to be present for others. She knew that if she was experiencing these emotions, others must be, too—and she wanted to ensure that no one had to grieve alone. Over the past decade, Holly has dedicated herself to grief support and counseling, providing a safe space for those experiencing loss.
In the past year, she has honed her focus to supporting those whose loved ones have died from a brain tumor—a unique and deeply needed resource within the brain tumor community. Holly provides:
- One-on-One Grief Support – Personalized guidance for individuals navigating loss.
- Grief Support Groups – A compassionate space to share and process grief alongside others with similar experiences.
- Webinars – Leading discussions on grief at conferences and educational events.
Bringing Compassionate Grief Support to RAWF
We are thrilled to have Holly as part of our team at RAWF, where her expertise and empathy will provide invaluable support to families facing loss. Grief can be isolating, but with Holly’s guidance, our community members will find understanding, validation, and a path toward healing.
If you or someone you love is grieving the loss of a brain tumor patient, know that you are not alone. Holly Gainsboro is here to walk alongside you.
Stay tuned for upcoming support group opportunities and resources led by Holly, and join us in welcoming her to the Raymond A. Wood Foundation family.
