Executive Director

Dear Friends:

Senator Kennedy's brain tumor diagnosis and death just eight months ago brought international attention to this dreadful and devastating disease. As he is remembered as a tireless health care advocate who displayed courage and strength in his final battle against an unrelenting illness, others continue the fight. 

This month alone, more than 5,000 Americans will be diagnosed with a primary brain tumor; another 20,000 will learn that cancer in another part of their body has spread to the brain. All told, more than 600,000 individuals are living with a brain tumor diagnosis and its devastating impact on their physical, emotional, social and financial well-being.

These numbers reflect an upward trend over previous annual prevalence estimates issued by the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States. Reasons for this increase could be attributed to better tracking and reporting, an aging population that is living longer and therefore at greater risk of developing a brain tumor, and brain tumor patients who, as a result of the progress being made in treatment, are surviving longer.

With so many more people living longer with a brain tumor diagnosis, we need to keep the research momentum going. And we need to make sure that patients and families and caretakers have access to resources and information that answer their questions and help them better understand and cope with this disease. 

The American Brain Tumor Association remains committed to pursuing increased funding of brain tumor research and advocating for the best possible brain tumor treatment and patient care. 

Sincerely,

Elizabeth M. Wilson
Executive Director