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BRAIN TUMOUR AWARENESS
Brain tumour advocates throughout the world have achieved their target of
walking the equivalent of three times the distance around the Earth at the
Equator.
The target was 120,000 kms and 28,618 walkers in over 100 separate walks in 15
different countries in North and South America, Europe and Asia, have so far
reached a combined total of 123,024 kms with more results still to arrive.
The Walk Around the World for Brain Tumours is now an annual event. In 2007 the
target was once around the Equator but the walkers that year covered nearly two
and a half times the distance.
The World Walk is intended to raise awareness about the challenges of a brain
tumour diagnosis and the need for more research and support. Approximately
200,000 people worldwide will develop a malignant primary brain tumour in the
next twelve months. Well known people to be diagnosed with a brain tumour in
2008 included Senator Ted Kennedy (USA) and the golfer Seve Ballesteros
(Spain).
The walk events raised at least $4.7m for local brain tumour research and
support organisations. (No funds are sought or accepted by the IBTA from these
events).
The World Walk concludes at the end of the International Brain Tumour Awareness
Week, which was held during 26 October to 1 November. During the Awareness Week
picnics, seminars and concerts were held, including a tour of Britain, Denmark
and Sweden by US brain tumour survivor, singer and songwriter David M Bailey.
Scientists, clinicians, and brain tumour groups organised education meetings in
India, Slovakia, Italy, Lithuania, Australia, the UK, Belgium and other
locations.
The Chair of the International Brain Tumour Alliance Mr Denis Strangman,
Australia, hailed the two main international projects as a success and said
they would be repeated in 2009 with the Awareness Week most likely being held
during 1-7 November when the focus would be on the 125 th anniversary of the
first documented modern day brain tumour surgery by Sir Rickman Godlee which
took place in London (UK). Sir Rickman later travelled to the USA where he met
with US surgeons to talk about his pioneering operation.
Examples of events and walks held can be found on the IBTA website at: www.theibta.org
Sunday 2 November 2008
Contact: Denis Strangman, Chair IBTA, Phone 61 + 2 + 62583912. Mobile:
0438583912
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International Brain Tumour Alliance – IBTA
PO Box 244, Tadworth, Surrey
KT20 5WQ, United Kingdom
Tel:+ (44) + (0) + 1737 813872
Fax: + (44) + (0) +1737 812712
Mob: + (44) + (0) + 777 571 2569
The International Brain Tumour Alliance is a not-for-profit,
limited liability company registered in England and Wales, registered number
6031485. Registered office: Roxburghe House, 273-287 Regent Street,
London W1B 2AD, United Kingdom. All correspondence should be sent to the
Secretary's address above, not to the registered office.
Official Website: www.theibta.org
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