International Brain Tumour Awareness Week 24 - 31 October
International Brain Tumour Awareness Week is held every year in the last week of October. An initiative of the International Brain Tumour Alliance (IBTA), it is one of the major global awareness-raising campaigns on the brain tumour advocacy calendar. Throughout the Week, brain tumour patients, families and supporters from all corners of the world mobilise by holding events such as walks, lunches, afternoon teas, information displays and many other activities.
In Hong Kong, the Brain Trekkers group brings together brain tumour patients, family members, doctors and nurses for a walk around the majestic Victoria Peak. In Singapore, they hold the Brainy Car Rally where people with brain tumours, both young and old, get to ride through the city streets in luxury sports cars.
One of the longest standing awareness week events takes place in Mumbai, India, where the Tata Memorial Hospital and the Brain Tumour Foundation of India hold their Annual Art Festival for children with brain tumours. Last year more than 300 families and friends came together to support and encourage their children’s artistic talents.
A global awareness-raising effort is important. Brain tumours are the most common cancer among children, and the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under the age of 40. However, because they represent less than 1.8% of all cancers diagnosed worldwide, brain tumours don’t have the same level of public awareness as more common cancers such as breast, prostate, lung or bowel.
This imbalance is reflected in an inequity in research funding. The lack of new treatments means that survival rates for brain cancer have not improved significantly in more than 30 years. Currently, only 1 in 20 patients with glioblastoma (the most common form of brain cancer) will survive longer than five years.
This year, like so many things in 2020, COVID-19 has forced changes to the format of many of the International Brain Tumour Awareness Week events from in-person to digital platforms, or in some cases, forced their postponement or cancellation. New Zealand is very fortunate to be one of the few countries in the world where in-person events are still possible.
Brain Tumour Support NZ has launched its own awareness campaign to mark International Brain Tumour Awareness Week. The Trust is holding high teas in Nelson, Wellington, Whangarei and Rotorua where supporters can get together over a cup of tea and delicious food while raising funds by holding raffles and a silent auction.
We are also encouraging kiwis to get together during the Week of 24 - 31 October with friends and family over a barbeque, a morning tea at work, weekend brunch or a sausage sizzle. Anything goes and the possibilities are endless! Spread the word by posting on social media, writing to your local newspaper or calling your local radio station. Keep abreast of the Week activities by following the hashtags #IBTAWeek and #braintumoursupportnz.
Awareness counts. Awareness works. Let’s start the conversation about brain tumours.
Care for a cuppa
Wellington High Tea