As Kelly Sitkin steps into the ABTA President & Chief Executive Officer role in February, we had the opportunity to sit down and talk about Kelly’s personal journey that propels her passion for the brain tumor community; the challenges stifling health outcomes for patients and caregivers; and her vision for accelerating progress in one of the oldest leading brain tumor organizations in the U.S.
Q. What inspired you to join the ABTA?
Kelly Sitkin: I am a 28-year cancer survivor, and because of this experience, I really understand how devastating it can be to hear you have a tumor. There is this sense of disbelief and anger. All these emotions are not just for you, but for your family, and what this diagnosis means for yourself and your loved ones. My cancer experience profoundly changed my life and filled me with a sense of gratitude and appreciation that every day is a gift.
I am thankful for the support I received from the family, friends, and my community during that time. To me, the ABTA embodies that same spirit of support; one in which we are walking alongside patients and their families during their most challenging moments.
I’m truly inspired everyday by the people we serve, and when the opportunity to lead the ABTA as President and CEO, I just felt it was the right path and purpose for me.
Q. What are your top priorities and goals for the ABTA as you transition into this role?
KS: For the past seven years as the ABTA Chief Development Officer, I have worked closely with outgoing President and CEO Ralph Devitto and our Chief Mission Officer, Nicole Wilmarth, to set ABTA goals and priorities. The ABTA has accomplished so much. We’ve expanded our programs and services, and our investment in breakthrough research – thanks to a 45% increase in revenue since I joined the ABTA.
In 2023, we launched the Meet Hope Head On campaign. This campaign is designed to: 1) triple our investment in research; 2) double the number of patients that we served, and 3) double Federal funding for brain tumor research. This is a roadmap for sustainability and long-term success for the ABTA.
We’ve raised about $14.5 million dollars already! We’re continuing to build on this momentum. So, when you think about our top priorities and goals, it is to serve our patients, fund more research, and influence the Federal government. I’m excited to see where our efforts take us in 2025.
Q: What are the strengths of the ABTA?
KS: Our strengths as an organization is our dedication to funding breakthrough research and the breadth and depth of our patient services program.
The most impactful investment for brain tumor patients is to fund innovative researchers. This has been, and will continue to be, the cornerstone of the ABTA’s mission. We’ve invested more than $36.5 million and funded over 700 researchers since 1973. Many of these scientists are now leading cutting-edge advancements and breakthroughs in the brain tumor space. And through our patient services program, we serve about 200,000 patients and caregivers annually to inform and empower them along their brain tumor journey.
Q: What are the challenges facing the brain tumor community?
KS: Unfortunately, there are many challenges facing the brain tumor community. First, the complexity and diversity of brain tumors make detection, diagnosis and treatment incredibly challenging. Therefore, we need to better understand the causes, effects, diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors. That’s why, the ABTA is strongly committed to increasing research funding—to accelerate breakthroughs and better grasp the brain’s complexity.
Second, the toll of a brain tumor diagnosis on the patient and their caregiver is too great. They often face long-term cognitive, emotional and physical challenges, which can impact their quality of life. On the caregiver side, they often experience both emotional and financial stress with limited systems to help them manage that stress. The ABTA is addressing these challenges by expanding our patient services programs to offer more support, education, and information.
Third, inadequate Federal funding for brain tumor research remains a major barrier, especially compared to other cancers. This funding gap slows the development of innovative therapies. That’s why the ABTA is mobilizing advocates to raise awareness and push for increased Federal funding.
Our constituents are the heart of the ABTA and what we do. We strive to ensure that everyone has access to best-in-class and affordable resources, regardless of location, socioeconomic status, race, or gender. Our goal is to continue to expand ABTA’s engagement and reach, meeting more patients where they are in their journey.
Q: How will the ABTA represent its diverse constituents in its work?
KS: The ABTA’s key interests are with the patients and the families that we serve. We’re committed to listening, learning, and being responsive to the needs of this community. We want to hear from our constituents and value their feedback. By listening, truly and authentically listening, to our constituents, we can continue to design programs and initiatives that the brain tumor patients and their families find impactful.
Q: What would you like the brain tumor community to know about your vision for the ABTA’s future?
KS: We are witnessing unprecedented advances in biomedical research, yet brain tumors remain a significant challenge—for the scientists studying them, the clinicians treating them, and the patients and families living with this diagnosis every day. To make real progress, we must accelerate groundbreaking research and expand patient services.
Despite dedicated efforts from government agencies, industries, academia, foundations, and patients, progress toward better outcomes remains slow. Improving outcomes requires attracting top scientific talent to collaborate and drive innovation. True progress demands a unified, collaborative approach, engaging everyone in our community—advocates, clinicians, researchers, patients, and families.
By fostering innovation, strengthening partnerships, and working together, we can overcome these challenges and accelerate progress. We have the power to bring hope and improve outcomes for those impacted by brain tumors together.
