Working together with our Champions on Capitol Hill and the larger brain tumor community, Glioblastoma (GBM) Awareness Day united thousands to honor, learn, and act for everyone impacted by a GBM. Taking place on Wednesday, July 22, the highlights included a live broadcast sharing stories and experiences of patients, family members, medical providers, and researchers throughout the day to raise awareness of the challenges presented by GBM and emphasize the need for more research and effective treatments.
The one thing made clear by all who stepped forward to share their experience with GBM was how important #GBMDay is to highlight, for all Americans, the urgency with which progress is needed for this disease. It is the coming together of individual patients, survivors, care partners, advocates, advocacy organizations, companies, cancer centers, Congress, and government agencies to unite as one community and one voice on a designated day, that allowed us to convey the challenges, as well as great opportunities, that lay before us to finally defeat GBM.
NBTS patient and care partner education and navigation services provide personalized support, care, and comfort for the brain tumor community, especially in light of how COVID-19 affects the accessibility of brain tumor care.
In an effort to prioritize the safety and well-being of our community, National Brain Tumor Society has made the difficult, but necessary, decision to host all of our remaining events in 2020 virtually.
What does this mean?
Our community has historically rallied for a one day event, but imagine if we didn’t. Imagine if we rallied all year long for a mission that never takes a day off, and did not become any less critical due to COVID-19. Fall events going virtual simply means we will not wait until event day to express the urgency of our mission – we will start today!
On the day of our event, we will still gather (virtually) to honor and remember our brain tumor warriors. We'll share stories and hear from members of our communities, acknowledge fundraising champions, celebrate our survivors, and host a remembrance ceremony. We may be rallying from the comfort of our homes, but we'll still be uniting in support of this critical mission.
Gliomas are one of the most common types of primary brain tumors and make up approximately 80% of all malignant primary brain tumors. This group includes oligodendroglioma. Low-grade glioma patients are severely underserved due to the historic lack of research and treatment development. Our new progress report focuses specifically on NBTS funded research, shares highlights and new work changing the future for brain tumor patients and families.
In July, NBTS, along with dozens of organizations from across the international brain tumor community, helped launch two new documents that establish a set of standards for the healthcare experience to which all brain tumor patients and caregivers should be entitled – no matter where they live – while they navigate their treatment and live with this devastating disease.
Mental health and wellbeing is a critical component of living with a brain tumor. Starting Monday, August 10, NBTS will provide patients, families, and care partners free virtual meditation classes focused on mindfulness, relaxation, and breathing. Led by Tori Best, PharmD, BCGP, RPh, classes will take place on the second Monday of each month and welcome people from all backgrounds and abilities to learn techniques to help manage stress, anxiety, and find peace in their daily lives.
National Brain Tumor Society unrelentingly invests in, mobilizes, and unites our community to discover a cure, deliver effective treatments, and advocate for patients and care partners. Our vision is to conquer and cure brain tumors – once and for all.
