McCaul, Quigley Recognize May As National Brain Tumor Awareness Month

U.S. Congressmen Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) and I introduced a resolution recognizing May 2023 as National Brain Tumor Awareness Month.

“It's estimated that a heartbreaking 19,000 people will die from a malignant brain tumor in 2023. With this resolution, we vow to continue speaking up on their behalves, increasing awareness, and supporting efforts to change—and save—lives,” I said.

“This year alone, more than 94,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with a primary brain tumor. Despite this, progress in treatment has been slow and survival rates have barely changed in the last 45 years. The slow rate of progress is what has inspired me to consistently reintroduce this resolution. By raising awareness, we can gather more momentum in the fight to accelerate breakthroughs in research and ultimately defeat brain tumors for good,” said Rep. Quigley. “I hope this resolution provides a sense of assurance for those Americans who have been diagnosed and a promise that Congress has not forgotten them.”

"National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) applauds Representative Quigley and Representative McCaul for continuing to highlight the importance of recognizing May as National Brain Tumor Awareness Month,” said David Arons, president and CEO of NBTS. “This resolution helps raise public awareness of brain tumors, while honoring those who have lost their lives or loved ones to this devastating group of diseases or are currently living with a brain tumor diagnosis.”

Background:

Mortality rates associated with brain tumors have unfortunately changed little in recent decades, and brain tumors remain the leading cause of death from cancer in children and teens. As the co-chair and founder of the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus, I have championed legislation to address pediatric cancers including brain tumors. My legislation includes:

• The Creating Hope Act, which incentivizes pharmaceutical companies to develop new drugs for children with rare pediatric diseases;
• The RACE (Research to Accelerate Cures and Equity) for Children Act, which allows the most innovative adult treatments for cancer to be studied for use in children; and
• The STAR (Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research) Act, the most comprehensive childhood cancer bill ever written, which expands research on childhood cancers and works to enhance the quality of life for survivors. The STAR Reauthorization Act was signed into law in December.

Quigley's and my resolution encourages increased public awareness, expresses support for individuals battling brain tumors, and urges a collaborative approach to brain tumor research. This will harness advances made both by private, non-profit research foundations and federally-supported medical research institutions.

Read full text of the resolution here.