National Brain Tumor Awareness Month

WHEREAS, there are over 600,000 people in the United States living with a primary brain tumor diagnosis, and more than 60,000 new cases will be diagnosed in children and adults this year; and

WHEREAS, because brain tumors are located at the control center for thought, emotion and movement, their effects on an individual’s physical and cognitive abilities can be devastating; and

WHEREAS, the five year survival rate after diagnosis with a primary malignant brain/ central nervous system tumor is 35.10%, and the five year survival rate for glioblastoma, the most common an deadly brain tumor, is 4.46%; and

WHEREAS, brain tumors are the leading cause of death from solid tumors in children under the age of 20, and are the third leading cause of death from cancer in young adults ages 20-39; and

WHEREAS, there are few known risk factors for brain tumors and no strategies for early detection, also, symptoms of brain tumors can be attributed to other conditions, leading to delays in diagnosis; and

WHEREAS, brain tumor treatment options are both limited and complicated, due to the fact that there are more than 120 different types of tumors and the tumor’s location; and

WHEREAS, long-term changes in quality of life following brain tumor treatment are common and can include impairments to physical and cognitive functioning and financial turmoil, not only impacting patients but their loved ones; and

WHEREAS, important advances have recently been made in understanding brain tumors, including the genetic characterization of gioblastoma multiforme, one of the deadliest forms of brain tumor, but daunting obstacles still remain in the development of new treatments and strategies for screening and early detection:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim May 2011, as

National Brain Tumor Awareness Month

in the State of Alabama and encourage citizens to support research on brain tumors, patients, caregivers and all American who will benefit from new therapies and cures.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 11th day of April 2011.

 

      

Governor Robert Bentley