On September 19, the American Brain Tumor Association was one of several leading health organizations on Capitol Hill for AACR Rally for Medical Research Day. Brain tumor research continues to be underfunded, and the ABTA, representing the voices of the brain tumor community, called on national policymakers to advance federal funding of brain tumor research. The purpose of the annual rally is to lobby members of Congress to make funding for National Institutes of Health (NIH) a national priority and raise awareness about the importance of continued investment in medical research.

President and CEO Ralph DeVitto, Chief Development Officer Kelly Sitkin and Chief Mission Officer Nicole Willmarth, PhD, along with two ABTA Board Members Brandon Starkoff and Carla Varner, urged members of the U.S. Congress to increase federal funding for brain tumor research.

The ABTA is not alone in this endeavor as it joined a coalition of 340 stakeholders in the medical field, including partnering organizations such as PanCAN, AACR, Lungevity, Melanoma Research Alliance and other medical institutions. The ABTA staff and Board Members met with industry, legislators and legislative staff, including Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), as well as U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL 9th District), Bobby Rush (D-IL 1st District) and Lois Frankel (D-FL 21st District).

Learn more about this national effort at https://rallyformedicalresearch.org/