Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)

GBM Facts

  • An estimated 13,000 new cases of GBM will be diagnosed in the United States in 2020.
  • It is estimated that more than 15,000 people in the United States die from GBM every year.
  • GBM is the most common, and deadliest, primary malignant brain tumor in adults. It also affects
  • 3% of pediatric brain tumor patients.
  • The five-year survival rate for GBM patients is only 5.6%.
  • Mean survival for GBM patients is estimated to be only 12-18 months.
  • Survival rates and mortality statistics for GBM have been virtually unchanged for decades.
  • Prominent Americans who have been lost to GBM include: Beau Biden (son of President Joe Biden); Hall of Fame Major League Baseball player Gary Carter; U.S. Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy; U.S. Senator John McCain; and Major League Baseball player Edward “Tug” McGraw (father of country music star Tim McGraw).


The new Glioblastoma Bill of Rights, an initiative of the nonprofit OurBrainBank, was launched on Glioblastoma Awareness Day, July 22nd 2020.

This is a global program supported by major cancer nonprofits, including StacheStrong. GBM is an aggressive, deadly brain tumor with no cure. The current standard of care is failing patients. The GBM Bill of Rights was crafted from the results of a 2019 survey taken by 400+ GBM patients and caregivers. It includes the right to: personalized care, genetic testing, a second opinion, experimental trials and treatments, psychological support, money-blind treatment, fast-tracked MRI results, best end-of-life
care, and more. Please reach out to us with any questions and always know your rights as you navigate Glioblastoma.