The Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation was a Silver sponsor of the International Symposium on Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, June 29 through July 2, 2008 in Chicago, IL.  CBTF-MD is a longstanding supporter of this very informative conference.  Attendees included oncologists, neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, neurologists, nurses, basic researchers, neuro-pathologists, neuro-radiologists, endocrinologists, psychologists, social workers, research associates, and other health care providers involved in the care of children with central nervous system tumors. Both CBTF-MD and Children's BTF-NY joined together as panelists to share vital information and resources with the families during the session entitled, "Outreach and Support" at the Family Education Day, held on July 2, 2008. Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation looks forward to sharing an informational update about the meetings later this year. Through these important international collaborations clinical and scientific progress is shared worldwide.

House Passes FY2008 Supplemental Appropriations Bill (June 20, 2008)http://opa.faseb.org/pages/WashingtonUpdate/Jun2008/page1.htm (Excerpt, see Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Web site for full article) or http://opa.faseb.org/pdf/2008/FedFund09.pdf
National Institutes of Health (NIH):  After weeks of uncertainty over when the FY2009 appropriations process would begin - and some speculation that it might not even begin at all - Congress took decisive action this week and affirmed the importance of our nation’s investment in research.  This is only the first step in what promises to be a long and contentious process. The Senate L-HHS/Ed Appropriations Subcommittee plans to mark-up its own version of the bill on June 24.  Check the site periodically for updates. FASEB recommends for 2009, that NIH be funded at $31.2 billion, an increase of 6.7 percent over FY 2008.