Nearly 1 million Americans are currently living with a brain tumor. In 2023, an estimated 94,390 people will be diagnosed with a brain tumor. Considering those alarming statistics, it’s unfortunate that we aren’t much farther along in our research and treatments. May happens to be a month with a lot of recognition including national Brain Cancer Awareness Month. I’ve really learned these past few months that my condition is not out there very much. There are plenty of studies and recognition for gliomas and other brain tumors, and not as much for grade 2 astrocytomas. I find this strange considering astrocytomas are supposedly one of the most common brain tumors in adults.
I was glad to hear there was a national brain cancer awareness month, but was disappointed at the lack of local events/activities. The more I’ve looked into it the more I realize that any current events for brain cancer awareness month are in other states. It seems that right now the emphasis is on spreading awareness and educating which I think is great. I do hope in future years though to see more efforts.
In my earlier blog posts (like Astro-what? and An Introduction to Kiss My Astrocytoma) I talk a lot about my condition – what it means, what we know about it, and how it’s treated currently. The little I know about it anyways. I know there is a lot to learn about cancer in general, and especially with Central Nervous System cancers. National brain cancer awareness month to me is a chance to designate time to not only spread the word about my condition but also to continue learning for myself.
Ways to get involved
Braintumor.org has a ton of information about brain tumor awareness month. There’s the Race for Hope in DC, the National Brain Tumor Ride in Massachusetts, the Go Gray in May fundraiser in IL, webinars, etc. There are many ways to take action and get involved. There’s the option to start a fundraiser, volunteer, become an advocate, donate, be an active member of community forums, and many more.
Brain tumor advocates get involved in many different ways. They help ensure that the federal government has the funding it needs to support the needed research and they help ensure that patients have affordable access to treatments. This is an interesting option because it can be as big or as small of a commitment as you want it to be. You can send emails to legislatures from home, you can make phone calls, you can attend in-person meetings with legislatures, etc. The federal government has full control of when brain tumor treatments are approved by the FDA and they have control over how much is invested in research grants. Considering how little we know about brain cancer and how many people are dying every day, I think there’s a lot of work to be done here.
This was taken from the braintumor.org website:
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.
My hope
My goal this month is just to spread awareness and get my voice out there. I’ve primarily been doing this through social media, especially my @kissmyastrocytoma Instagram account. In future years however, I do hope to do quite a bit more including finding ways to volunteer, hosting a fundraiser, traveling to events, and maybe even public speaking.
Check out my last blog Support Resources for Cancer Patients for a ton of other helpful resources for cancer patients and their loved ones. Cancer.gov has a ton of helpful tools and information as well. I appreciate everyone who has been following me and my journey!
💚 Hailey
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