When it comes to brain cancer, does awareness matter?

Our community's Relay For Life event was this past weekend. That's where I met a special caregiver and her family. She explained that her husband, who was diagnosed with brain cancer a few years ago, was now in hospice. She rarely leaves his side. The night of Relay was one of the few outings she allowed herself. She had on her button. She was wearing her t-shirt. I had the feeling that she wears them both frequently. After talking with her, I made the connection that it was May ... Brain Cancer Awareness Month. I was acutely aware of brain cancer and the devastation it can have on a family after our conversation. Maybe awareness is not just a t-shirt, a button, a color. It's a face and a name. And maybe that's more important than the symbols we assign each type of cancer. When Liz Salmi touched on the topic of brain cancer awareness in her blog, "Zero shades of gray: Who's to blame for lack of brain cancer awareness," it questioned the impact a gray ribbon could have on brain cancer. I have to agree that reading her story made more of an impact on me.