Our Impact

Today, nearly 700,000 Americans are living with a primary brain tumor, and 69,000 more will be diagnosed this year. With no available cure and limited treatment options, brain tumors dramatically impact the quality of life for all those affected. But all of us have reason to hope for a better prognosis for those living with a brain tumor today and anyone who will be diagnosed tomorrow.

Driven by a vibrant, hopeful, and tireless community, the National Brain Tumor Society’s strategic initiatives and funded programs aim to improve an understanding of all brain tumors to transform research into new and effective treatments, as quickly as possible. To achieve these goals, we also foster collaboration with leaders in the private sector, government, and academia to drive systemic change within all facets of the drug discovery and development landscape.

We are the largest nonprofit dedicated to the brain tumor community in the United States, and we won’t rest until a cure exists. Learn about our history

Our Impact Across the Country

Raising awareness and resources to fight brain tumors is just one of the ways we are creating change for this community. See where we are making a difference each day nationwide, and the locations of our funded research, events, and advocates.

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Key Accomplishments

Launched the Defeat GBM Research Collaborative, an unprecedented, strategic research initiative with the aim to double the five-year survival rate of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients. This initiative partners with and leverages the expertise of world-class institutions through multiple synergistic projects, each combined and driven by investigator teams with proven track records of results to accelerate the pace of discovery and improve patient survival.
Supported the Career Development Award for Translational Brain Tumor Research, in partnership with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), to increase research for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and foster interest in brain tumor and brain cancer research by early career investigators.
As a continuation of our Pediatric Research Initiative, and in cooperation with the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, we awarded grants to three (3) leading researchers focused on the discovery and development of effective therapies for pediatric brain tumors.
Announced the first grant recipients for the Oligodendroglioma (oligo) Research Fund who will work to understand how oligo tumors grow and which biomarkers to target for potential therapeutic developments.
Hosted the inaugural Advancing Research to Treatments (ART) in Brain Tumors event, which gathered leaders in research/academia, biotech/pharma, government, and the investment community to discuss new paths for ensuring innovative research is realized, funded, and that it ultimately yields new therapies or treatments for patients.
Educated the federal government and Members of Congress on the impact of their proposed policies on the brain tumor community, specifically for the Patient Informed Consent rules, Affordable Care Act, NIH funding, Oral Chemotherapy Parity, and around the deficiencies in pediatric brain tumor research.
Participated in the Alliance for Childhood Cancer advocacy day to ensure the collective needs of pediatric cancer patients are heard by policymakers and elected officials.
Each year during Brain Tumor Awareness Month, brain tumor patients, survivors, and caregivers from across the country come together for our annual advocacy day, Head to the Hill, to educate their Members of Congress on the vital needs of the brain tumor community.
Joined the One Voice Against Cancer advocacy event to support increased funding and awareness of priority cancer programs.
Rallied more than 35,000 participants during our Races, Walks, and Rides in 12 cities around the United States last year to raise more than $7 million to fund promising research.
Engaged the community through Brain Tumor Awareness Nights with professional sports teams across the country including the Los Angeles Kings, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the Philadelphia Phillies.
Educated patients, families, and caregivers with vital brain tumor information through our website and monthly eNewsletter, Transforming Tomorrow, Today. Our website, www.braintumor.org, had nearly 1 million unique visitors last year.
Partnered with and mentored organizations that provide patient support, such as Imerman Angels 1-to-1 Cancer Support.