Every year, over 13,000 Americans are diagnosed with glioblastomas, and tragically, each year we lose more than 10,000 Americans to these far-too-common brain tumors.
Senator John McCain, an Arizona inspiration and personal hero of mine, lost his life as a result of a glioblastoma. That’s why I’m proud to lead an annual bipartisan resolution in the Senate designating July 20th as National Glioblastoma Awareness Day.
Glioblastomas are an incredibly aggressive and common form of brain tumor. Today, we celebrate the caregivers, doctors, and nurses who tirelessly look after individuals battling these brain tumors – and pledge to continue supporting the researchers who are developing new and better treatments, screening and diagnostic resources, and, one day, a cure.
I’m extremely grateful that our resolution unanimously passed the Senate – establishing today as an opportunity for our nation to come together and honor those we’ve lost to this disease, the thousands of individuals who continue their fight, and the dedicated caretakers who support our loved ones.
Our resolution also calls for more research into slowing the progression of fast-growing brain cancers and improving quality of life for patients. It’s an important step, but it cannot achieve our mission by itself. Earlier this year, I led the entire bipartisan Arizona delegation in a letter to support the University of Arizona’s Cancer Center renewal grant from the National Cancer Institute.
Researchers at the University have led groundbreaking research searching for genetic differences between glioblastoma cells from long- and short-term survivors, and it’s critical that they have the resources to continue their mission and bring us one step closer to a cure.
I take pride in honoring Senator McCain and all the heroes we’ve lost to glioblastomas. Arizonans have my firm commitment to work with anyone and everyone to support those impacted by this disease.
