NABTC Urges Completion of Cell Phone Studies
July 31, 2008
The North American Brain Tumor Coalition (NABTC) carefully monitors research on the potential adverse effects associated with cell phone use. Although the research on cell phone safety is not conclusive, the NABTC urges cell phone users to take precautions that have been identified by public health authorities and to make special efforts to restrict the use of cell phones by children. The Coalition acknowledges that it is offering these cautions in the absence of definitive data but thinks this approach is advisable in light of the rapidly expanding use of cell phones worldwide.
NABTC urges readers to consult the attached statement, which provides an brief review of research conducted to date and identifies websites and other resources containing additional information about cell (more...)
Posted in General News, Headlines
Senators Specter and Harkin Seek to Boost NIH Funding
July 24, 2008
Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced a bill on July 16, 2008, to make emergency supplemental appropriations for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The bill, S. 3272, would appropriate $5.2 billion for NIH for the fiscal year that ends on September 30, 2008. Of the total of $5.2 billion, $1.2 billion would be provided to the National Cancer Institute and the remaining $4.0 to the remaining institutes at NIH.
In introducing the bill, Senator Specter decried the recent stagnation in NIH funding. He said, “This funding decline has disrupted the flow of research progress, not just for today, but for years to come. The problem is that an entire generation of research scientists is being discouraged from going into the (more...)
Posted in Brain Tumor Research, General News
United States House of Representatives Declares May National Brain Tumor Awareness Month
May 22, 2008
On May 21, 2008, the United States House of Representatives declared May “National Brain Tumor Awareness Month.” By a voice vote, the House approved H. Res. 1124, a resolution sponsored by Representative Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), and by this action established May as National Brain Tumor Awareness Month.
The North American Brain Tumor Coalition expresses its deep gratitude to Representative Schakowsky for her leadership in introducing the resolution and also its thanks to the 108 Representatives who joined as cosponsors.
The news about the brain tumor diagnosis of Senator Edward Kennedy has raised the entire nation’s awareness of brain tumors. This news has touched us all, not the least because Senator Kennedy has been a tireless champion of (more...)
Posted in General News, Headlines
North American Brain Tumor Coalition Extends Best Wishes to Senator Edward Kennedy
May 21, 2008
The North American Brain Tumor Coalition extends its best wishes and prayers to Senator Edward M. Kennedy and his family on his diagnosis with a malignant glioma.
Brain tumor survivors and their families, friends, and caregivers have had Senator Kennedy as their champion in the Congress, fighting for better health care for all and for a strong federal investment in biomedical research. By championing major health care initiatives and responding to the needs of individuals, Senator Kennedy has improved the lives of those battling cancer.
We know that he will show the same courage in this fight that he has shown in the Senate in crafting and passing ambitious health care leigslation against long odds.
Additional information about brain tumors is available on (more...)
Posted in General News
Support for National Brain Tumor Awareness Month Surges
May 10, 2008
More than 100 Members of the House of Representatives have joined as cosponsors of H. Res 1124, a resolution to establish May as National Brain Tumor Awareness Month. With this level of support, the House Energy and Commerce Committee may — but is not required to — consider the resolution and refer it to the full House.
The rapid increase in the number of cosponsors can be directly attributed to the aggressive efforts of brain tumor advocates to persuade their Representatives to support the resolution. Although 100 cosponsors triggers the possibility of committee approval, that action is not a certainty. The North American Brain Tumor Coalition encourages all brain tumor advocates to contact their United States (more...)
Posted in Advocacy Positions
National Brain Tumor Awareness Month Resolution
April 28, 2008
Brain tumor advocates are dedicated to increasing awareness of brain tumors, because educating the public and policy-makers about brain tumors is a necessary first step in advancing public policy efforts that will improve treatment for brain tumors. The North American Brain Tumor Coalition applauds Representative Jan Schakowsky for her leadership in introducing H. Res. 1124, a resolution that would declare May “National Brain Tumor Awareness Month.”
We are asking each and every Member of the House of Representatives to join as a cosponsor of H. Res. 1124. Please be sure to make this “ask” when you meet with your Representative.
For more information about this awareness effort, please see National Brain Tumor Awareness (more...)
Posted in Action Items, Advocacy Positions, Brain Tumor Action Week
Ending the Medicare Waiting Period Act
April 28, 2008
During visits to Capitol Hill on May 6 and beyond, brain tumor advocates will be asking their Senators and Representatives to cosponsor the Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period. This legislation would end the waiting period for those with life-threatening illnesses and phase out the waiting period for all others (those on Social Security Disability who are not considered to have life-threatening illnesses) over a period of ten years. During that ten-year period, the waiting period would be reduced incrementally.
The Senate version of the Ending the Medicare Waiting Period Act was introduced as S. 2102 by Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), and the House version was introduced as H.R. 154 by Representative Gene Green (D-TX). (more...)
Posted in Advocacy Positions, Brain Tumor Action Week
Advocacy Materials for Hill Visits on May 6
April 28, 2008
On May 6, 2008, the North American Brain Tumor Coalition will be joined by advocates from around the nation in meeting with their Senators and Representatives to urge them to take action to improve brain tumor treatments and access to care. More than 60 advocates will join in collective action to advance the interests of those with brain tumors and their families, friends, caregivers, and loved ones.
The core mission for the NABTC is boosting federal support for brain tumor research. We are urging two actions from the Senate and House: 1) to provide a 6 percent increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and 2) to protect special research initiatives that have advanced knowledge and (more...)
Posted in Action Items, Advocacy Positions, Brain Tumor Action Week
ACT NOW! Contact your Representative to Urge Cosponsorship of the National Brain Tumor Awareness Month Resolution
April 24, 2008
Please contact your United States Representative IMMEDIATELY to ask him or her to cosponsor H Res 1124, the National Brain Tumor Awareness Month Resolution. Representative Janice Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced this resolution to designate May as National Brain Tumor Awareness Month, and we need you to pick up the telephone or send an email to your United States Representative to help move this resolution through the legislative process. Representatives can show their support for the brain tumor community and their commitment to enhancing awareness of brain tumors by signing on as a cosponsor of H Res 1124.
There are already 52 cosponsors of H Res 1124, but we need at least 100 cosponsors to move this resolution forward.
Posted in Action Items, Brain Tumor Action Week
Representative Jan Schakowsky Champions National Brain Tumor Awareness Month
April 23, 2008
On April 22, 2008, Representative Jan Schakowsky, joined by Representative Peter Roskam, introduced H Res 1124, a resolution urging recognition of National Brain Tumor Awareness Month. The resolution acknowledges the accomplishments of many brain tumor organizations in funding research and providing education and support services to brain tumor patients and their families. It also urges the Congress to designate each May as National Brain Tumor Awareness Month.
The resolution has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and the committee will not report the resolution for full House action unless it enjoys the support of 100 Representatives. The North American Brain Tumor Coalition will be actively seeking cosponsors of this resolution.
Please contact your Representatives immediately and (more...)
Posted in Action Items, Advocacy Positions, Brain Tumor Action Week
