A wide range of free events will be held the first week of May in honor of Brain Tumor Action Week (BTAW).

Pierre Giglio, M.D., medical director of the MUSC Brain & Spine Tumor Program, said BTAW is an important nationally-recognized initiative of the brain tumor community to shed light on an area of need.

"MUSC's Brain Tumor Action Week is designed to improve education and research for brain and spine tumors. Education and research are the best tools physicians have in their fight against these cancers," he said.

Rachel Beard, administrative assistant for the Brain & Spine Tumor Program, said this is the fourth year of Brain Tumor Action Week. The Brain & Spine Tumor Program sets up events during the week with the goals of education, awareness and fundraising to support brain tumor research efforts at MUSC.

Beard said this year they are excited to have the first panel discussion, featuring physicians representing neuro-oncology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology/gamma knife, neuroradiology and neuropathology.

One of the main reasons the week continues to be successful is the support of the members of the MUSC Brain Tumor Support Group, said Beard.

"Patients and their friends and families are the reason that we do this every year, and we always welcome their involvement. We always have patients who volunteer throughout the week to greet people at our display table in Hollings, and some of their family members have reached out to help in everything from collecting items for our

For information and a listing of activities, contact Beard at beardr@musc.edu, 792-6592 or visit http://www.musc.edu/neurosciences/BTAW.