“Transforming a Life‑Altering Journey Into Purpose, Voice, and Impact,” Carrie Borofka-Hilz Joins MBTN’s Board Governance Advisors

Carrie Borofka-Hilz

Carrie Borofka‑Hilz is a meningioma survivor-thriver and patient advocate whose leadership is grounded in the lived experience of the neurological, sensory, and long‑term impacts of tumor treatment and survivor-thriver-ship.

Diagnosed in 2012 with a Grade 2 Olfactory Groove Meningioma, she underwent surgical resection that resulted in complete blindness, later received radiation for tumor regrowth, and developed post‑surgical epilepsy due to the brain injury.

Today, Carrie remains stable on anti‑epileptic therapy, is monitored through advanced imaging, and continues active management of residual tumors. Her recent care has included functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetoencephalography (MEG)—rare, highly specialized neurodiagnostic tools used for seizure localization and treatment planning.

Before her diagnosis, Carrie earned a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Psychology from California State University, Chico, and then pursued graduate studies in Curriculum Development at the University of Phoenix (2008–2010). She worked as a teacher and was preparing to advance in the field when sudden blindness from surgery transformed the course of her life.

Following the loss of her vision, Carrie remained deeply engaged in her community. She volunteered at the Blind Center of Pacific Grove, learned Braille and orientation skills, and received a guide dog (Latte) within fourteen months of going blind. She and her guide dog—now thirteen years into their partnership—are recognized as one of the longest-working guide dog teams in California.

As a Board Governance Advisor for the Meningioma Brain Tumor Network, Inc (MBTN), Carrie advocates for individuals living with the chronic neurological, sensory, and psychosocial effects of meningioma treatment. She is particularly committed to raising visibility around post‑treatment disability, epilepsy, survivorship-thrivership, and health-related quality‑of‑life realities. Carrie openly shares her own journey and values learning from others’ experiences to strengthen support within the meningioma community.

She joins MBTN alongside three other meningioma survivors‑thrivers whose lived experiences with this brain disease are also chronicled as part of the organization’s commitment to survivor-thriver-centered leadership.

Carrie Borofka‑Hilz lives in Gilroy, California, with her husband, Mike, and her beloved guide dog, Latte.