IBTA E-Newsletter

16 November 2008

Dear friend of the international brain tumour community

The second International Brain Tumour Awareness Week and Walk Around the World for Brain Tumours have recently concluded and we have exceeded our expectations.

In the World Walk the aim was to circle the earth at the Equator at least three times (120,000 kms) but walkers in 83 brain tumour fund-raising and awareness-raising walks in North America, Europe and Asia, covered a massive 215,883 kms (five times around the world!). 47,740 walkers were involved and raised the equivalent of at least $9,583,096 USD for local brain tumour research and support activities (none of the funding goes to the IBTA). Thank you and congratulations to all those who helped to make this such a successful event.

In addition, dozens of seminars, picnics and meetings were held by supporting organisations during the Awareness Week. Reports of these events and various walks can be accessed here http://www.theibta.org/CompletedActivities.html and http://www.theibta.org/completedactivities208.html If your event is not listed please forward a report and photos to: chair@theibta.org

We surveyed our supporters about the best time to hold the World Walk and Awareness Week in 2009 and by a margin of 114-79 those who responded chose the first week in November (Sunday 1 November to Saturday 8 November, 2009) rather than the second week.
 
Comments were made by respondents about the proximity of All Saints Day, All Souls Day, the Day of the Dead, the Melbourne Horse Racing Cup, and Bonfire Night occurring during that week but no one believed they would prevent a successful International Brain Tumour Awareness Week being held.

During 2009 and the Awareness Week in particular we will be commemorating the 125th anniversary of the first documented modern day brain tumour surgery by Sir Rickman Godlee in 1884.

The IBTA will have a presence at the forthcoming scientific meeting of the US-based Society for Neuro Oncology (SNO) in Las Vegas where the IBTA Chair will give a short presentation about the IBTA's project to raise awareness about the lack of access to palliative medications for brain tumour patients in the low to middle income countries. Please introduce yourself if you are also attending the SNO conference.

Best wishes.