Brain Tumor Awareness: How To Go Beyond Gray Ribbons

It’s officially Brain Tumor Awareness Month, and while the gray ribbons are a meaningful symbol, awareness goes well beyond that symbolic little bow. As a neurosurgeon, I’ve spent years in the OR helping patients fight battles no one signs up for. And I’ve learned this: if we want to truly honor those affected by brain tumors, we need to move awareness beyond hashtags and dig into the real work. Here’s what that looks like.

Brain Tumor Awareness Starts with Knowing the Signs

You can’t act on what you don’t recognize. While brain tumors don’t always show symptoms early, there are signs worth paying attention to and talking about.

Persistent or worsening headaches, vision problems, seizures, memory changes, personality shifts – these aren’t just “normal stress” symptoms. They deserve medical attention.

Fact: According to the American Brain Tumor Association, approximately 90,000 people are diagnosed with a primary brain tumor every year. 

That stat is a powerful reminder of why recognizing the signs of a brain tumor is so critical. Being aware of them could lead to earlier detection and better outcomes.

Support Research That Moves Us Forward

Brain tumor awareness also emphasizes the need for new and better treatments. The most aggressive tumors, like glioblastoma, require more than what the current standard treatment offers. Clinical trials are where breakthroughs happen, but they’re vastly underfunded.

Fact: Shockingly, the government cut 100% of dedicated funding for glioblastoma in 2025.

That’s why I’m donating 50% of the proceeds from our limited-edition brain tumor awareness t-shirt to the Glioblastoma Research Organization. This nonprofit is working hard to fund cutting-edge research and support patient-centered care, particularly at a time when federal funding has been completely wiped out. This statement shirt offers a meaningful way to help contribute to the fight.

Caregivers Need Support, Too

Behind every brain tumor diagnosis is a caregiver holding things together. They are the ones administering medications, preparing meals, scheduling appointments, conducting late-night Google searches, and enduring 3 a.m. cry sessions in the car – all while quietly burning out.

Fact: Nearly 1 in 3 caregivers of brain tumor patients experience symptoms of clinical depression. 

Let’s normalize checking in on not only the patient, but also their caregivers. Ask how they’re doing. Offer help. A small act of kindness can go a long way.

Make Room for All the Emotions

Hope. Fear. Grit. Grief. Rage. Laughter in the middle of heartbreak. All of it belongs. Let’s create space for patients and their families to experience the whole, messy, and sometimes beautiful spectrum of humanity.

Support isn’t always about fixing things. Sometimes it’s simply about being there and feeling all the feels, through all the scans, procedures, bad news, good days, and everything in between.

Turn Awareness Into Impact

Brain Tumor Awareness Month isn’t just another month on the calendar – it’s a call to action. It’s about honoring the people behind every MRI, every difficult decision, and every moment of resilience. It’s about showing up for the patient and the caregiver, funding the science, and feeling the emotional weight of the journey. But awareness is only helpful if it’s followed by action.

This May, go beyond the gray ribbon. Speak up. Donate if you can. Raise funds. Wear your support. Help someone going through it. And above all, keep the conversation going, long after the month ends.