News

'Road to Early Detection' Campaign Heads to D.C.

The Brain Tumor Foundations (BTF) is bringing its nationwide initiative "The Road to Early Detection Sponsor-A-City Campaign" to Washington, D.C. From Tuesday, September 12, to Monday, September 18, the BTF is offering free MRI brain scans to the public. The BTF's Mobile MRI Unit—a 70-ft tractor-trailer—will be parked at 501 K Street NW in Washington, D.C.

The project was launched to provide early detection of brain tumors. The city visit is sponsored in memory of Joseph E. Robert, Jr, by "Friends of Joe." This year would have been Joe's 65th birthday. As a renowned philanthropist, activist, and committed supporter of education and medical care for children, the visit to D.C. brings to home Joe's message of early detection for everyone. Months before he died of a glioblastoma, Joe told Kurt Newman, MD, president and CEO of Children's National Health System, that "Someday, when I'm not here, I bet you'll be able to catch half of these things before the child is even born." 

There are nearly 700,000 people in the United States living with a primary brain or nervous system tumor, and nearly 80,000 cases of primary brain tumors are expected to be diagnosed this year. Between 20% and 40% of all other cancers later develop a brain metastasis. Treating brain tumors while they are still small may significantly increase the chance of a cure and offer more treatment options. Early detection is the best insurance, today, that treatment will be effective and that more lives can be saved.

Brain scan data gathered through BTF's initiative will be analyzed by experts at Columbia University Medical Center and the Mailman School of Public Health in New York City. The research component of this campaign may shed new light on the causes and sources of brain cancer and help make treatment more effective when caught early. Scans are available by appointment only and can be scheduled by calling 844-BTF-SCAN (844-283-7226).