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READ MOREPublished on May 18, 2023 in Press Release
In anticipation of the 5th anniversary of Glioblastoma Awareness Day, the National Brain Tumor Society has once again worked with a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators and Representatives to introduce a congressional resolution designating Wednesday, July 19, as a day to raise public awareness for this highly aggressive and deadly form of brain cancer.
In the Senate, this year’s resolution is sponsored by Lindsey Graham (R-SC), with co-lead Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), and the support of Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tim Scott (R-SC), Ed Markey (D-MA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ). Brian Mast (R-FL-18), with Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-9), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-4), and Mike Gallagher (R-WI-08) are spearheading the effort in the House of Representatives.
The following is a statement from David F. Arons, JD, president and chief executive officer of the National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS):
“As we get set to commemorate five consecutive years of congressional support for national Glioblastoma Awareness Day, it’s important to pause and recognize all those we’ve lost to this devastating disease, all those who are still facing it, and their caregivers and loved ones. It’s also critical that we acknowledge not only how far we’ve come in these past five years – with increased funding and awareness of glioblastoma – but also that survival rates and quality of life largely remain unchanged. We must do better to truly change the trajectory of this disease.
Because of this progress, as well as barriers that still exist, we’re grateful that Congress continues to make glioblastoma a priority and is codifying that support with the Glioblastoma Awareness Day resolution. We once again thank our lead sponsors in the Senate and the House, as well as all of the original co-sponsors.
With another year of support for this resolution, coupled with related federal investments that have the potential to benefit the glioblastoma community – like the new Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) and the reignited Cancer Moonshot initiative – NBTS remains encouraged that together we can create a future where glioblastoma and all brain tumors and cancer no longer pose a major threat to U.S. public health. We ask all of America to join us on July 19, 2023, for Glioblastoma Awareness by visiting braintumor.org and GBMawarenessDay.org to learn more and take action.”
About Glioblastoma
Glioblastoma is the most common malignant (cancerous) brain tumor, accounting for approximately half of all primary malignant brain tumors. These tumors are also the most aggressive, complex, difficult to treat, and deadly type of brain tumor. Approximately 14,490 new cases of glioblastoma will be diagnosed in the United States in 2023, and it’s estimated that more than 10,000 individuals in the United States will succumb to their disease this year. The five-year survival rate for glioblastoma patients is only 6.9 percent, and the median length of survival is only 8 months. These rates have changed little during the past 30 years.
TAGGED WITH: brain cancer, glioblastoma