SENATE RESOLUTION DECLARING MAY 2026 AS "BRAIN TUMOR AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Appollonio and 9 co-sponsors

May 2026 is declared Brain Tumor Awareness Month in Rhode Island to promote awareness, education, and support for research and treatment efforts.

05/19/2026 Senate read and passed

Purpose and intent

The bill is a Senate Resolution of the Rhode Island General Assembly (SR 3306) declaring May 2026 as "Brain Tumor Awareness Month" in Rhode Island.

It seeks to recognize the importance of awareness, education, and research related to brain tumors and to highlight the challenges in treatment, screening, and early detection.

Key provisions and changes

Official designation: May 2026 is proclaimed Brain Tumor Awareness Month in the State of Rhode Island.

Public acknowledgment: The resolution expresses Rhode Island’s recognition of the impact of brain tumors on patients and families and the need for continued awareness and research.

How the recognition is communicated: The Secretary of State is authorized and directed to transmit certified copies of the resolution to leaders of relevant brain tumor organizations (e.g., American Brain Tumor Association, National Brain Tumor Society, Rhode Island Brain & Spine Tumor Foundation, Rhode Island Brain & Spine Tumor Foundation).

Affected entities and audience

Primary beneficiaries: Brain tumor patients and their families, advocacy groups, medical researchers, and healthcare professionals in Rhode Island who focus on brain tumor awareness and research.

Organizations receiving copies: National and state brain tumor advocacy and support organizations listed in the resolution.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced date: May 19, 2026.

Action status: Recommended for Immediate Consideration by the Senate; thus, it is a symbolic, commemorative resolution rather than a bill creating new laws or obligations.

No fiscal impact or regulatory changes are specified in the resolution; its effect is ceremonial and informational.

Supporting context (from the resolution)

The resolution cites statistics on brain tumors, including:

Over one million Americans living with brain tumors and 108,810 diagnosed with a primary brain tumor in a given year (as context for awareness).
Approximately 26,710 malignant brain tumor diagnoses and about 18,350 deaths in 2026.
Survival statistics for malignant brain tumors, noting Glioblastoma with a five-year survival rate around 7.0% and median survival of roughly 8 months.

It emphasizes the brain’s complex and fragile nature, the broad impact of brain tumors on physical, cognitive, and psychological well-being, and the lack of effective screening or early detection strategies.

The resolution underscores the ongoing need for public awareness and support for research and treatment advances.