Brain Tumor Awareness Month

                                                     

Although the season of spring begins in March, May is truly the month of revival, rebirth, comfort, and hope. The warming of the earth, the blossoms of flowers and trees, and the hope and promise of sunny days, fittingly parallels the month dedicated to brain tumor awareness. And it is only that awareness that can breathe greatness into action.

During this month, SFSF encourages both awareness and action. Just how can those be accomplished?

• Wearing the grey ribbon --- the symbol of brain cancer --- is simple and easy.
• Displaying grey ribbons, bracelets, and clothing for others to see and question is a great beginning. These items are available on several web sites, including American Brain Tumor Association, www.abta.org.
• Becoming informed of the facts about brain cancer allows one to speak with authority and conviction. Brain tumor organizations and foundations abound, among them, The North American Brain Tumor Coalition, www.nabraintumor.org which encourages becoming an advocate by writing letters and making phone calls; NABTC provides background on the issues and the legislative process. Also, click on the "awareness" and "helpful links" tabs on the SFSF website for additional ways to become AWARE.
• Attending events that focus on brain tumors will turn awareness into action. On May 3-4, the annual Brain Tumor Awareness Workshop will be held in Washington, D.C. If attending is not possible, participate in their webcasts.
• Miles for Hope, www.milesforhope.org, offers a list of walks, bike races, and running races that benefit brain tumor research and the corresponding registration information. The 7th Annual Glio-Blastoff 5K, on May 8, at Eastern Michigan University is within a day's traveling distance for both Ohio and Michigan residents.

Help make brain tumor awareness and the grey ribbon well-known and recognized for its importance and worth. Brain tumor victims need the awareness that will lead to action, that will lead to a cure. Allow the month of May to be truly a month of revival, rebirth, warming, and most of all...HOPE.