GOING GRAY IN MAY
May is brain tumor awareness month and it is represented by the color gray. Awareness is important because it inspires people to do something. We need others to understand the urgency for funding pediatric brain tumor research, so we’re asking our supporters to think about the children who inspired them to support this cause, and to help us honor them by going gray in May. Post a gray ribbon to your social media. Follow us on Facebook. Share information about pediatric brain tumors and why funding research is so important. Send a card to someone you know who has been impacted by this disease. Make a donation. Set up a fundraiser. Volunteer. There are so many ways to Go Gray in May! #gogray #braintumorawareness #dosomething
DR. SOUWEIDANE APPEARS BEFORE CONGRESS IN SUPPORT OF “MOONSHOT4KIDS”
On Tuesday, May 17, Dr. Mark Souweidane joined the DIPG Advocacy Group in support of their Moonshot4Kids Congressional & Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Briefing for childhood brain cancer awareness.
The briefing featured the testimony of leading scientists and clinicians, industry leaders specializing in pediatrics, charitable organizations, and families who have been impacted by a devastating pediatric brain tumor diagnosis. The targeted audience, members of Congress and the White House OSTP leading the Cancer Moonshot Initiative, was briefed on the urgent, unmet needs of children afflicted with brain cancer and the call to expedite solutions for them.
“The DIPG Advocacy Group asked me to virtually present on the unique challenges we face when trying to access pediatric tumors in the brain stem, namely DIPG, and why new drug delivery approaches will be essential in discovering cures for this otherwise terminal disease,” said Dr. Mark Souweidane, Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery and Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine. “I was grateful for the opportunity and asked all stakeholders to help further the innovative fronts and exploratory needs for kids and families with DIPG and other deadly brain tumors who are in such desperate need for options.”
The briefing was hosted in collaboration with the Offices of Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI-12), and Congressman David Joyce (OH-14), the lead sponsors of the bipartisan-supported H. Res. 404, the DIPG Awareness Resolution, and Congressman Michael McCaul, Founder of the Childhood Cancer Caucus.
May is brain tumor awareness. Please continue to #gogray with us by spreading awareness for initiatives such as these. Dr. Souweidane’s recording can be viewed here.