S.Res. 786

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 786 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 786

Designating July 15, 2026, as ``Glioblastoma Awareness Day''.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

June 23, 2026

Mr. Graham (for himself, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Scott of South 
Carolina, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Markey, Ms. Warren, Mr. Coons, Mr. 
Gallego, and Mrs. Shaheen) submitted the following resolution; which 
was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Designating July 15, 2026, as ``Glioblastoma Awareness Day''.

Whereas it is estimated that more than 13,000 individuals in the United States 
will be diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2026;
Whereas glioblastoma is--

(1) the most common malignant (cancerous) brain tumor, accounting for 
approximately \1/2\ of all primary malignant brain tumors; and

(2) the most aggressive, complex, difficult to treat, and deadly type 
of brain tumor;

Whereas it is estimated that more than 10,000 individuals in the United States 
will succumb to glioblastoma each year;
Whereas the 5-year survival rate for glioblastoma is only 7 percent, and the 
median survival rate following all diagnosed cases is only 8 months;
Whereas glioblastoma is described as a disease that affects the ``essence of 
self'', as the treatment and removal of glioblastoma presents 
significant challenges due to the uniquely complex and fragile nature of 
the brain, the primary organ in the human body that controls not only 
cognitive ability, but also the actions of every organ and limb;
Whereas patients and caregivers play a critical role in furthering research for 
glioblastoma;
Whereas, relative to patients with other types of cancers, brain cancer patients 
pay the second highest out-of-pocket costs for medical services in both 
the initial and end-of-life phases of care;
Whereas, although research advances may fuel the development of new treatments 
for glioblastoma, challenging obstacles to accelerating progress toward 
new treatments for glioblastoma remain, and there are no screening or 
early detection methods;
Whereas, in 2021, significant changes were made to the molecular characteristics 
of a glioblastoma diagnosis, necessitating critical biomarker testing 
for patients suspected of having a possible glioblastoma;
Whereas, although glioblastoma was first described in medical and scientific 
literature in the 1920s, and despite its devastating prognosis, only 5 
drugs and 1 medical device have been approved by the Food and Drug 
Administration to specifically treat glioblastoma since the 1920s, and 
the mortality rates associated with glioblastoma have changed little 
during the past 30 years;
Whereas, since the first Glioblastoma Awareness Day, the National Cancer 
Institute established the Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network (referred to 
in this preamble as ``GTN'') in 2020 as part of a national 
infrastructure to enhance and support the discovery and development of 
glioblastoma therapies available for multi-institutional GTN teams to 
drive therapeutic agents through preclinical studies and early phase 
clinical trials, which are necessary to rapidly evaluate potential 
treatments to advance toward cures and improved quality of life; and
Whereas there is a need for greater public awareness of glioblastoma, including 
awareness of both--

(1) the urgent unmet medical needs of glioblastoma patients; and

(2) the opportunities for research of, and treatment advances for, 
glioblastoma: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates July 15, 2026, as ``Glioblastoma Awareness 
Day'';
(2) encourages increased public awareness of glioblastoma;
(3) honors the individuals who have died from the 
devastating disease of glioblastoma or are currently living 
with the disease;
(4) supports efforts to develop better treatments for 
glioblastoma that will improve the long-term prognosis for, and 
the quality of life of, individuals diagnosed with the disease;
(5) recognizes the importance of molecular biomarker 
testing to the diagnosis and treatment of glioblastoma;
(6) expresses support for the individuals who are battling 
brain tumors, as well as the families, friends, and caregivers 
of those individuals;
(7) urges a collaborative approach to brain tumor research 
among governmental, private, and nonprofit organizations, which 
is a promising means of advancing the understanding and 
treatment of glioblastoma; and
(8) encourages continued investments in glioblastoma 
research and treatments, including through the Glioblastoma 
Therapeutics Network and other existing brain tumor research 
resources.
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