About Gray May

The brain tumor experience is full of extraordinary challenges and extraordinary hope. The gray area that falls in between is what drives us, unrelentingly, toward our mission of conquering and curing brain tumors — once and for all. 

This #GrayMay, raise funds and spread awareness to make lasting change for the brain tumor community.

Brain Tumor Awareness Month Proclamation

Congressional resolutions marking Brain Tumor Awareness Month were first passed by Congress in 2008. NBTS continues to work with our volunteer advocates each year to renew these calls for public awareness of brain tumors and to honor everyone who has faced this disease.

The resolutions serve as a commitment to every family who has lost someone and to every American who receives this frightening diagnosis that Congress continues to support research funding as the best means of advancing knowledge and treatment of all brain tumors.

Gray May Fast Facts

Why do we #GoGrayinMay? Here’s a quick snapshot of where we are in our mission to conquer and cure brain tumors:

• More than 1 million Americans are estimated to be living with a brain tumor.

• An estimated 94,390 people will receive a primary brain tumor diagnosis in 2023.

• Approximately 72% of all brain tumors are benign and approximately 28% are malignant.

• The five-year relative survival rate for all malignant brain tumor patients is only 35.7%.

• An estimated 18,990 people will die from a malignant brain tumor in 2023.

• Brain tumors are the most common solid cancer in people ages 19 and younger in the United States.

• 13,657 children are estimated to be living with a primary brain tumor in the United States.

• Pediatric brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related death among children and adolescents ages 19 and younger in the United States.

• Virtually all cancers have been associated with the ability to metastasize to the brain.

• For glioblastoma, the five-year relative survival rate is only 6.9% and median survival is only eight months.

• More than any other cancer, brain tumors can have lasting and life-altering physical, cognitive, and psychological impacts on a patient’s life.