Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Glioblastoma Awareness Day

Glioblastoma Awareness Day (GBM Day) occurs each year on the third Wednesday of July.

Initially introduced to the Senate in 2018 by a bipartisan group of U.S. senators in response to the death of Senator John McCain, GBM Day is dedicated to increasing general awareness of Glioblastoma, which accounts for almost half of all cancerous brain tumors in adults*.

Donate to support GBM research funding below.

GBM Facts & Stats

  • GBM Account for 48% of all primary malignant brain tumors.

    #Glioblastoma is a disease that everyone should care about. It can strike men, women, and children of any age, background, or walks of life. Did you know, GBM accounts for 48 percent of all primary malignant brain tumors?

    Source: National Brain Tumor Society. Glioblastoma Facts & Figures

  • There are only four FDA approved drugs - and one device - to treat Glioblastoma.

    Despite first being identified in scientific literature in the 1920s, there are only four FDA approved drugs to treat #glioblastoma.

    Source: National Brain Tumor Society. Glioblastoma Facts & Figures

  • Causes of Glioblastoma remain unknown, they can occur in people of all ages.

    According to thought leaders in medicine, the causes of GBM remain unknown and the disease can affect all ages and genders. However, these factors may increase your risk:

    Exposure to chemicals, such as pesticides, petroleum, synthetic rubber and vinyl chloride.

    Genetic, tumor-causing conditions, such as neurofibromatosis, Li-Fraumeni syndrome and Turcot syndrome.

    Previous radiation therapy to the head.

    Source: Cleveland Clinic

  • Paediatric GBM is rare entity which consists of only 2%-3% of all childhood brain tumors.

    While pediatric glioblastoma (pGBM) and adult #GBM share similar histological features, they differ in genetic and epigenetic landscape such that they should be regarded as molecularly distinct entities... Owing to the rarity of pGBM, most of the studies have clubbed all high-grade gliomas together without separately analysing GBM, limiting the information on its incidence, management protocol and outcome.

    Source: Singla, A. K., Madan, R., Gupta, K., Goyal, S., Kumar, N., Sahoo, S. K., ... & Ahuja, C. K. (2021).

  • Glioblastoma tumors are highly malignant because the cells reproduce quickly.

    Glioblastoma is very difficult to treat due to its limited therapies, location and composition. These tumors can be difficult to treat because they contain so many different types of cells.

  • Globally over 241,000 people die each year as a result of brain or nervous system cancer, with GBM being the most common form of the disease.

    Glioblastoma is not a national concern - it's a global issue. Not only does GBM account for 48 percent of all primary malignant brain tumors, but it can also affect anyone from all walks of life.

  • Data gathered on the GBM survival rate is bleak and discouraging, yet we remain optimistic that a cure for #glioblastoma is on the horizon.

    Glioblastoma relative survivial rates:

    35% - 1 Year
    13.7% - 2 Year
    8% - 3 Year
    5.8% - 4 Year
    4.7% - 5 Year

    To our GBM survivors, we see you, and you give us hope!

    Learn more about the GBM survival rate on our blog and let us know what you'd like to learn about next.

  • There are multiple grades of gliomas, II, III and IV. Glioblastoma, sometimes referred to as Glioblastoma multiforme is considered a grade IV tumor.

    GBM is considered a grade IV tumor. They are the most aggressive and very infiltrative -- they quickly spread into other parts of the brain. Glioblastomas don't metastasize (or spread) outside of the brain.

  • The most prevalent brain tumor types in adults are Gliomas (Astrocytomas, such as Glioblastoma as well as Ependymomas and Oligodendrogliomas) which make up 81% of malignent brain tumors in adults.

    An estimated 72,360 adults age 40+ will be diagnosed with a primary brain tumor in 2022 in the U.S. The most prevalent brain tumor types in adults are meningiomas and gliomas, such as glioblastoma, which make up 81% of malignant brain tumors in adults.

 

 learn more

Interested in learning
more about Glioblastoma?

Glioblastoma, also known as GBM, is an aggressive type of cancer that occurs in the brain or spinal cord.

VISIT OUR GBM 101 PAGE

 
 
 

We have funded Glioblastoma research across eight world-renowned cancer centers, supporting a diverse range of innovative projects.

The Glioblastoma Research Organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to advancing progress against one of the most aggressive and devastating brain tumors. Founded in 2018 from a deeply personal mission, the organization fuels cutting-edge research and impactful awareness initiatives that reach global audiences. To date, we’ve raised over 2.5 million dollars and fully funded thirteen research projects in partnership with top cancer institutions worldwide. Through bold science, powerful storytelling, and a growing community of advocates, we are accelerating breakthroughs and bringing hope to patients, families, and the medical field.

“Project Rocket is about giving clinicians a real-time window into the brain. This isn’t about theory or expensive imaging, but being able to look right at the bedside. With sonolucent implants and ultrasound, we’re exploring a low-cost, scalable way to tell the difference between tumor progression and pseudoprogression — something that’s critical, and often elusive, in GBM care.

The support from The Glioblastoma Research Organization is accelerating a future where brain tumor diagnosis is faster, clearer, and more accessible to patients everywhere.”

Randy S. D’Amico, MD, FAANS, FCNS

our work

Community Initiatives & Campaigns

  • The Warrior Wall

    The Warrior Wall by the Glioblastoma Research Organization was created to honor all Glioblastoma Warriors - throughout all stages of their journey. The Warrior Wall was designed to not only commemorate the lives of those lost to Glioblastoma, but to empower and give strength to those currently receiving treatment, those monitoring symptoms, and those in remission - to show that we are never alone in this process.

    read more

  • Warrior Wednesday®

    Warrior Wednesday is an initiative launched by the Glioblastoma Research Organization which first started in October of 2020. The purpose of #WarriorWednesday is to feature a GBM Warrior each week, while bringing our community closer together and raising awareness for Glioblastoma.

    Warrior Wednesday highlights the lives of those currently living with Glioblastoma as well as those who have passed.

    Read more

  • The Podcast: Glioblastoma aka GBM

    A podcast highlighting stories with GBM Warriors, caregivers, medical advisors and more.

    listen now

amber’s story

Meet our Founder and learn what inspired her to take action.

After losing her dad to Glioblastoma seven years ago, Amber turned her grief into purpose. Her personal journey became the driving force behind the creation of the Glioblastoma Research Organization. Watch her story to learn how one loss sparked a movement for change.

donate

Donate Today To Support Glioblastoma Research

 

Together we will find a cure.

Help our organization fund future GBM research projects at globally renowned cancer centers.

Frequently Asked Glioblastoma Questions

  • #Glioblastoma is a disease that everyone should care about. It can strike men, women, and children of any age, background, or walks of life. Did you know, GBM accounts for 48 percent of all primary malignant brain tumors?

    Source: National Brain Tumor Society. Glioblastoma Facts & Figures

  • Despite first being identified in scientific literature in the 1920s, there are only four FDA approved drugs to treat #glioblastoma.

    Source: National Brain Tumor Society. Glioblastoma Facts & Figures

  • According to thought leaders in medicine, the causes of GBM remain unknown, and the disease can affect all ages and genders. However, these factors may increase your risk:

    • Exposure to chemicals, such as pesticides, petroleum, synthetic rubber and vinyl chloride.

    • Genetic, tumor-causing conditions, such as neurofibromatosis, Li-Fraumeni syndrome and Turcot syndrome.

    • Previous radiation therapy to the head.

    Source: Cleveland Clinic

  • "While pediatric glioblastoma (pGBM) and adult #GBM share similar histological features, they differ in genetic and epigenetic landscape such that they should be regarded as molecularly distinct entities... Owing to the rarity of pGBM, most of the studies have clubbed all high-grade gliomas together without separately analysing GBM, limiting the information on its incidence, management protocol and outcome."

    Source: Singla, A. K., Madan, R., Gupta, K., Goyal, S., Kumar, N., Sahoo, S. K., ... & Ahuja, C. K. (2021).

  • Glioblastoma is very difficult to treat due to its limited therapies, location and composition. These tumors can be difficult to treat because they contain so many different types of cells.

  • #GBMFacts | Glioblastoma is not a national concern - it's a global issue. Not only does GBM account for 48 percent of all primary malignant brain tumors, but it can also affect anyone from all walks of life.

  • Data gathered on the GBM survival rate is bleak and discouraging, yet we remain optimistic that a cure for #glioblastoma is on the horizon. To our GBM survivors, we see you, and you give us hope!

    Learn more about the GBM survival rate on our blog and let us know what you'd like to learn about next.

  • #DidYouKnow: GBM is considered a grade IV tumor. They are the most aggressive and very infiltrative -- they quickly spread into other parts of the brain. Glioblastomas don't metastasize (or spread) outside of the brain.

  • #DidYouKnow: An estimated 72,360 adults age 40+ will be diagnosed with a primary brain tumor in 2022 in the U.S. The most prevalent brain tumor types in adults are meningiomas and gliomas, such as glioblastoma, which make up 81% of malignant brain tumors in adults!

Citations

  • Louis, D. N., et al. (2016). The 2016 World Health Organization Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System: a summary. Acta Neuropathologica, 131(6), 803-820.

  • Stupp, R., et al. (2005). Radiotherapy plus concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide for glioblastoma. New England Journal of Medicine, 352(10), 987-996.

  • Johnson, D. R., & O’Neill, B. P. (2012). Glioblastoma survival in the United States before and during the temozolomide era. Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 107(2), 359-364.

  • Wen, P. Y., & Kesari, S. (2008). Malignant gliomas in adults. New England Journal of Medicine, 359(5), 492-507.

  • American Cancer Society. (2020). Understanding Cancer

Reviewed by Henry Friedman, MD - The Glioblastoma Research Organization Medical Advisory Board member.