How to Raise Awareness for Brain Tumors

Efforts to raise awareness about the number of brain tumors diagnosed every year are ongoing. Many organizations make a concerted effort to educate the public on the many types of tumors found in the brain. Brain tumor survivors join forces with foundations and lawmakers to set aside specific times to challenge the general public to support research for this potentially devastating condition.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Meet the Challenge to Raise Brain Tumor Awareness

1. Recognize the combined effort of 13 charitable organizations known as the NABTC (North American Brain Tumor Coalition--see Resources below). This group is dedicated to finding answers through research and working with other health care agencies to eradicate brain tumors. At the present, there are more than 120 types of brain tumors.
2. The NABTC raises funding for brain tumor research through the National Institutes of Health and other health agencies.
3. In the spring, Brain Tumor Action Week is an opportune time to raise awareness in your neighborhood. This is a time for families, friends and survivors to bring attention to the need for more research and a change in health care policies relating to brain tumor treatment.
4. According to the North American Brain Tumor Coalition, there are over 40,000 Americans diagnosed with a primary brain tumor every year (see Resources below).
5. Write to your government officials expressing the urgency of funding research and treatment for brain tumors. Many bills are presented to Congress every year related to health care issues. Keep brain tumor research at the forefront.
6. Participate in local and national fundraising to heighten the awareness of brain tumors. Millions of dollars is needed to provide the extent of research needed to find answers to effectively treating brain tumors.
7. Take advantage of the Internet. Web-savvy people can use the media contact of the Internet to provide personal accounts of the need and benefit of brain tumor research, via blogs or emails.

Tips & Warnings

• Join a local support group for patients and family members who have first-hand experience with brain tumors. Discuss ways to reach your local community with the urgency of brain tumor awareness.
• Make sure the organization you contribute to or participate in is a legitimate partner in the effort to raise awareness about brain tumors.