Declaring May 2026 as "Brain Tumor Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode Island

WHEREAS, An estimated more than one million Americans are currently living with brain tumors and 108,8 Americans will be diagnosed with a primary brain tumor this year; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 26,710 people will receive a malignant brain tumor cancer diagnosis in 2026, and an estimated 18,350 people will die; and

WHEREAS, The relative survival rate in the United States for all people following diagnosis of a malignant brain tumor is only 34.8%, with the deadliest and most common form of brain cancer, Glioblastoma, having an average five-year survival rate of only 7.0%, and median survival rate of only 8 months; and

WHEREAS, The treatment of brain tumors presents significant challenges because of the brain’s uniquely complex and fragile nature; and

WHEREAS, Brain tumors can have lasting and life-altering physical, cognitive, and psychological impacts on a person’s life; and

WHEREAS, Brain tumors affect the primary organ in the human body that controls not only cognitive ability, but the actions of every other limb and organ in the body, leading to brain tumors being described as a disease that affects the whole individual; and

WHEREAS, Daunting obstacles remain to the development of new treatments, and no strategies for the screening or early detection of brain tumors exist; and

WHEREAS, A need for greater public awareness of brain tumors exists, including awareness of the difficulties associated with research on brain tumors and the opportunities for advances in research and treatment; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island recognizes the importance of awareness and the urgent need for further research into brain tumors and does hereby declare May 2026 to be Brain Tumor Awareness Month in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Ms. Kelly Sitkin, President & CEO, of the American Brain Tumor Association, Mr. David F. Arons, President & CEO of the National Brain Tumor Society, Dr. Prakash Sampath, President of the Rhode Island Brain & Spine Tumor Foundation, and Ms. Lisa D’Ambra, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Brain & Spine Tumor Foundation.