WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) yesterday joined Reps. Brian Mast (R-FL), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Jim Langevin (D-RI) in introducing a resolution that designates July 22, 2020 as “Glioblastoma Awareness Day.” Glioblastoma is an aggressive, difficult to treat brain tumor that results in the death of nearly 10,000 Americans every year. Click HERE for text of the resolution.
“Glioblastoma is a horrible disease that takes the lives of thousands of Americans each year,” said Rep. Gallagher. “Although no early detection methods exist, breakthroughs in treatments and surgeries — including right here in Northeast Wisconsin — are a cause for hope to the patients and families of those who are living with this disease. This resolution is no cure, but it’s an important bipartisan step in raising awareness and supporting those affected by glioblastoma.”
While there is no known cure for glioblastoma, new breakthrough tools have made it easier for surgeons to extend and improve the lives of patients with this disease. One such tool, Gleolan, is a digestible dye that allows surgeons to better identify cancerous tissues in the brain during a surgery. This tool was used for the first time in Wisconsin by Dr. Joseph Chabot, a neurosurgeon with Prevea Health. The procedure was performed at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay in November of 2019.
“A diagnosis of glioblastoma often leaves patients and their families feeling frightened and looking for answers. As a neurosurgeon, it is extremely important to stay current on new developments that can help our patients,” said Dr. Joseph Chabot, Prevea Health Neurosurgeon. “An example of this is Gleolan; a dye that is used to light up cancerous tissue in the brain so that it can easily be distinguished from non-cancerous tissue allowing for safer removal. Although we have not yet found a cure for this terrible disease, this new technology gives us more hope that we will in the future.”
In addition to designating July 22, 2020 as Glioblastoma Awareness Day, the resolution also:
  • Encourages increased public awareness of glioblastoma,
  • Honors the individuals who have lost their lives to glioblastoma or are currently living with it,
  • Supports efforts to develop better treatments for glioblastoma,
  • Expresses support for the individuals who are battling brain tumors, as well as the families, friends, and caregivers of those individuals, and
  • Urges a collaborative approach to brain tumor research, which is a promising means of advancing the understanding and treatment of glioblastoma.
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