The Brain Tumor Foundation (BTF) begins a week-long visit today, September 12th through Monday, September 18th, in Washington DC offering free MRI brain scans to the public. With the use of a Mobile MRI Unit, parked at 501 K Street NW, BTF continues its nation-wide city tour as part of its Road to Early Detection Campaign.
This program was launched to increase public awareness about early screening for rain tumors and the urgent need for preventative brain scans. In a joint research project with Columbia University Medical Center and the Mailman School of Public Health together with NY-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical Center, the brain scan data gathered through this initiative will be analyzed for the possible causes and sources of brain cancer.
The Mobile Unit’s visit to Washington DC is sponsored in memory of Joe 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 Unit’s stop in DC brings to home Joe’s message of Early Detection for everyone. Joe died of a Glioblastoma five years ago.
Cities visited by the Unit include New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, New Jersey, Long Island with Baltimore, Miami, Wichita, Dallas, Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco planned for in the coming months.
Since the launch of the Road To Early Detection Campaign the need for free MRI brain scans has grown. With the current economic situation and rising healthcare costs, the Brain Tumor Foundation’s program has become an important community service.
Today, more than 700,000 people in the US will have been diagnosed with a brain or central nervous system tumor. And over a million people are living with brain tumors that have yet to be detected. As much as 40% of all other cancers later develop a brain metastases. Brain tumors are also the number #1 cancer killer of children and youth under the age of 20.
MRI brain scans are safe, non-invasive and radiation free. It’s an investment of 8 minutes that may save someone’s life. Treating brain tumors while they are still small may significantly increase the chances of a cure and offer more treatment options. Early detection is the best insurance that treatment will be effective and that more lives can be saved.
Scans are available by appointment only and can be scheduled by calling 844-BTF-SCAN (844-283-7226) or at www.btfscandc.org.