U.S. Representatives Brian Mast (FL-18) and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) today introduced a resolution to designate July 21, 2021 as “Glioblastoma Awareness Day.” Glioblastoma is the most aggressive, difficult to treat and deadly brain tumor that results in the death of 10,000 Americans every year.
“Glioblastoma is a terrible disease that has impacted the lives of so many in our community. This resolution is about giving hope to every individual who is fighting this disease and honoring the lives of those we’ve lost at its hands,” Rep. Mast said. “By raising awareness of this disease, I’m hopeful that we will continue finding new ways to treat Glioblastoma and ultimately find a cure.”
“Thousands of Americans are diagnosed each year with glioblastoma, a very aggressive and fatal brain cancer, including a dear friend of mine and the father of one of my staff members. Tragically, this is a cancer for which there are no early screening or detection methods,” Rep. Schakowsky said. “The first step to conquering brain tumors is to promote more awareness that can advance a cure. This horrible, deadly cancer has affected many everyday Americans and even some of our colleagues and their families, including President Biden’s son, Beau. Our bipartisan and bicameral resolution will increase awareness of this disease and support collaborative research efforts to better understand and treat glioblastoma, or GBM.”
Rep. Mast has been an advocate for Glioblastoma research since coming to Congress. In August 2018, Rep. Mast demanded answers to help explain the prevalence of Glioblastoma in Florida’s 18th District from the Department of Health and Human Services. In 2019, he helped secure more than $48 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health for neuroscience research. This resolution builds on these efforts by encouraging public awareness, supporting efforts to develop better treatments and honoring every individual impacted by Glioblastoma.
“On behalf of the National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) and glioblastoma (GBM) patients, family members, caregivers, and loved ones, thank you to this bipartisan, bicameral group of Congressional champions for again prioritizing the need to raise awareness for the devastating nature of a GBM diagnosis and the imperative for continued investments in and attention to research of this deadly disease,” David Arons, CEO of the National Brain Tumor Society said. “Their dedication to establishing an annual Day of Awareness has already yielded tangible progress in educating, informing, and enlightening the public and policymakers alike and supported increased investments in research and innovation. We urge both chambers to recognize Glioblastoma Awareness Day again in 2021 resolutions and join us on July 21 as we remember those who are no longer with us, to support survivors and their loved ones, and to honor luminaries working toward a cure and better quality of life for those who are living with this devastating disease.”
Reps. Mast and Schakowsky were joined by Representatives, Mike Gallagher (WI-8) and Jim Langevin (RI-2). A companion resolution was introduced in the Senate by Senators Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Kyrsten Sinema (AZ), Mark Kelly (AZ), Elizabeth Warren (MA), Ed Markey (MA), Chris Coons (DE), and Marco Rubio (FL).
A copy of the resolution can be found HERE.
BACKGROUND
The resolution introduced today does the following:
- Designates July 21, 2021 as Glioblastoma Awareness Day
- Encourages increased public awareness of glioblastoma
- Honors the individuals who have lost their lives to glioblastoma, a devastating disease, or are currently living with it
- Supports efforts to develop better treatments for glioblastoma that will improve the long term prognosis and quality of life of individuals diagnosed with the disease
- Expresses its support for the individuals who are battling brain tumors, as well as the families, friends, and caregivers of those individuals
- Urges a collaborative approach to brain tumor research, which is a promising means of advancing the understanding and treatment of glioblastoma
- Encourages continued investment in glioblastoma research and treatments, including through the Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network and other existing brain tumor research resources
