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READ MOREPublished on April 8, 2025 in Legislative Issues, Press Release
Bipartisan, bicameral legislation would increase research funding, foster collaboration, promote critical awareness efforts, and support innovations in and access to care
National Brain Tumor Society, the largest patient advocacy organization in the United States committed to curing brain tumors and improving the lives of patients and families, applauds today’s reintroduction of the Bolstering Research And Innovation Now (BRAIN) Act, a timely, comprehensive, and complementary approach toward advancing better treatments and quality of life for patients with brain tumors and other rare and recalcitrant cancers.
The BRAIN Act (H.R.2767, S.1330) aims to strengthen and better fund research efforts, improve access to cutting-edge treatments, and innovate the way health care is delivered for patients with brain tumors and survivors, advancing the quest to defeat brain tumors, once and for all. This landmark piece of legislation – a historic first for the brain tumor community – was first introduced toward the end of the 118th Congress, and quickly gained significant bipartisan support in both chambers.
In the U.S. Senate, the reintroduced BRAIN Act is led by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), with original co-sponsors John Barrasso (R-WY), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Mike Rounds (R-SD). A companion version in the U.S. House of Representatives is being sponsored by Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), with support from Representatives Lori Trahan (D-MA), Kim Schrier (D-WA), and John Joyce (R-PA).
“The BRAIN Act uniquely targets policy solutions at the many barriers impeding progress for brain and other rare and difficult-to-treat cancers,” said David Arons, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Brain Tumor Society. “We’re grateful to have worked alongside our champions in Congress to develop this multifaceted approach, which builds off of many current cancer-related policy initiatives, while tailoring solutions specific to challenges that exist in our community. We thank these co-sponsors for recognizing the major unmet needs in aggressive cancer fields and championing policies that bolster research, accelerate the quest for cures, and innovate the way health care is delivered for patients with brain tumors and survivors.”
The BRAIN Act addresses basic scientific research, early-phase drug discovery and development, clinical trials, diagnosis and treatment planning, and care and quality of life for those living with and surviving brain tumors. Specifically, the act includes:
The full legislative text of the BRAIN Act can be found here, and detailed background information can be found at BrainTumor.org/brainact.
“In my 12-year career as a practicing neuro-oncologist and clinical researcher, I’ve seen first-hand the devastating toll that brain tumors take on patients and families,” said Nicholas Blondin, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology at Yale School of Medicine. “I’ve also witnessed transformative changes in the way we treat other cancers, such as breast cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma. Unfortunately, we have not experienced the same level of progress in the tools and treatment options for patients with malignant brain tumors. More concerted policies to adequately fund cutting-edge research, paired with initiatives to raise awareness about the advances that are currently happening in diagnostics and clinical trials, are essential. New models for addressing the challenges patients face in their brain tumor journey will greatly benefit efforts in the field of neuro-oncology to catch up to the progress we have seen in treating other cancers.”
It’s estimated that more than 1.3 million Americans are currently living with a brain tumor, and over 93,000 more are expected to receive a primary brain tumor diagnosis in 2025. Nearly 19,000 Americans will die because of brain cancer this year. Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related death in children 19-years-old and younger, accounting for three out of every 10 cancer deaths. More so than any other cancer, a brain tumor can have life-altering psychological, cognitive, behavioral, and physical effects. There are no known prevention or early detection methods, few available treatments, and there is no cure.
“The BRAIN ACT will take a gigantic leap forward in making individual cancer researchers work more like a team to discover better treatment options to manage this disease,” said Montu Patel, of Doylestown, PA. “My sister, Payal, was 39 with two young children when her life was cut too short because of glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive type of malignant brain tumor. It affected the entire family. Her tumor caused her to go blind, lose her personality, and ultimately took her life after just 11 months. I hope that the BRAIN ACT passes and leads to more discoveries and to better treatment options and quality of life.”
About the National Brain Tumor Society
Building on over 30 years of experience, the National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) unrelentingly invests in, mobilizes, and unites the brain tumor community to discover a cure, deliver effective treatments, and advocate for patients and caregivers. Our focus on defeating brain tumors and improving the quality of patients’ lives is powered by our partnerships across science, health care, policy, and business sectors. We fund treatments-focused research and convene those most critical to curing brain tumors once and for all. Join us at BrainTumor.org.
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