Each May, a sea of gray ribbons serves as a powerful reminder of the fight against brain tumors. Brain Tumor Awareness Month, often called “Gray May” for the color of its awareness ribbon, is a time when communities around the world unite to honor those affected, educate the public, and rally support for urgently needed research. For a disease that is too often overlooked, this dedicated month highlights the urgent challenges faced by brain tumor patients and the resilience of a community determined to overcome them.
Unlike some cancers that have seen dramatic improvements in outcomes over the years, progress against malignant brain tumors has been limited.1 Brain tumors, whether malignant or benign, can have devastating effects on patients’ lives, causing lasting physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges.2 Malignant brain cancers in particular often do not respond well to standard therapies, and new effective treatments have been disappointingly scarce in recent decades 1. Brain Tumor Awareness Month shines a light on these realities. It pushes researchers, clinicians, and the public to recognize that more must be done: more research funding, more clinical trials, and more support for those facing the disease.
By the Numbers: The Urgent Case for Brain Tumor Advocacy and Funding
Brain tumors (which include both malignant brain cancers and benign tumors of the brain and central nervous system) are comparatively rare but have a disproportionate impact. Over 1 million Americans are currently living with a primary brain tumor, and an estimated 93,000 or more will be diagnosed in the United States in 2025 alone. 2,3 About 72% of brain tumors are non-malignant (benign) and 28% are malignant cancers. 2 Benign tumors can often be treated successfully, but they may still cause serious neurological problems due to their location. Malignant brain tumors, on the other hand, are among the deadliest of all cancers. Yet, despite the daunting numbers, there is reason for hope. The brain tumor community of patients, caregivers, doctors, scientists, and advocates are rallying like never before to change the narrative. Fundraising events such as the annual “Race for Hope” in Washington, DC and advocacy campaigns such as NBTS’s “Head to the Hill,” where survivors and loved-ones lobby Congress for research funding are making an impact.3
Precision Medicine in Brain Tumor Research
For decades, treating malignant brain tumors, especially aggressive types like glioblastoma, has been an uphill battle. The standard regimen for glioblastoma (surgery followed by radiation and chemotherapy) only extends life modestly, and no significantly life-prolonging new drug had emerged in over 20 years. The drug vorasidenib was approved by the FDA in 2024 for treating low-grade gliomas with IDH1 or IDH2 genetic mutations. Patients taking vorasidenib had a median of 27.7 months without tumor growth, versus 11.1 months in the placebo group.4 This is a strong example of how understanding a tumor’s genetics can lead to tailored treatments that dramatically improve outcomes. At Athari BioSciences, we believe this is exactly where the future of brain tumor care is headed. Our work in genomic profiling and diagnostics supports the shift toward precision medicine — enabling more accurate identification of tumor subtypes and genetic mutations. This is especially critical in neuro-oncology, where insights like detecting IDH mutations can guide the use of targeted therapies.
One Story Among Thousands: Megan and the Reality of Brain Tumors
Behind every statistic and scientific paper are real people. Patients bravely fighting, families caring for loved ones, and survivors who become advocates that inspire us to keep pushing for change and remind us of what’s at stake. Among them: Megan, age 15, from Texas.
In late 2024, Megan began suffering from relentless headaches and vision problems. The diagnosis was every parent’s nightmare: a brain tumor pressing on her optic nerves and causing her to lose vision. Yet thanks to the expertise at a pediatric hospital and a complex surgery, Megan’s story became one of hope. In May 2025, it was reported that she is now cancer-free after a successful treatment that not only removed the tumor but also restored her vision. Her mother describes the journey, from fear and uncertainty to relief and gratitude, and now their family is using her story to spread awareness about the importance of early detection and expert care.5 Megan’s experience is just one example among many. There are survivors who have beaten incredible odds, and others who, even in the face of terminal diagnoses, choose to spend their time raising awareness so that future patients might have it better.
As Brain Tumor Awareness Month comes to a close, the work continues.
The urgency doesn’t fade on May 31st, and neither should our commitment. Progress depends on staying informed, supporting organizations and innovators driving research forward, and keeping patients and families at the center of everything we do.
At Athari BioSciences, we are advancing precision diagnostics and genomic tools to help make brain tumors more predictable and more treatable. We’re proud to stand alongside those working toward a future where a diagnosis no longer brings fear, but real options. Gray may be the color of brain tumor awareness, but it stands for a silver lining of hope and the promise that through science and solidarity, we will conquer this challenge.
If you’re interested in partnering, learning more, or exploring our technology, reach out. We are always open to collaboration.
References
- https://www.ivybraintumorcenter.org/blog/brain-tumor-awareness-month/
- https://braintumor.org/brain-tumors/about-brain-tumors/brain-tumor-facts/
- https://braintumor.org/events/brain-tumor-awareness-month/
- https://neurosurgery.duke.edu/news/new-therapy-glioma-receives-fda-approval
- https://www.texaschildrens.org/content/patient-stories/may-brain-tumor-awareness-month-life-changing-treatment-texas-childrens
