[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 7575-7576]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           LOUISIANA GRAY DAY

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Madam President, I wish to honor Louisiana Gray Day, 
this Friday, May 9, and the thousands of Louisianians and Americans 
with brain cancer and their families. Brain cancer is one of the most 
incurable forms of cancer and has an average survival period of only 1 
to 2 years. It does not discriminate--striking men, women, and children 
of any race and at any age. Over 688,000 Americans are living with

[[Page 7576]]

a primary brain tumor and each year over 69,700 people are diagnosed 
with primary malignant and nonmalignant tumors. Brain tumors are the 
second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children under age 20, 
the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in males ages 20 to 
39, and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in females 
ages 20 to 39.
  More so than any other cancer, brain tumors can have life-altering 
psychological, cognitive, behavioral, and physical effects. To help 
increase awareness and advance medical research for the various forms 
of brain cancer, the month of May is recognized nationally as brain 
cancer awareness month. My State has adopted May 9 in particular as the 
day when the citizens of the State are encouraged to wear the color 
gray to raise brain cancer awareness.
  Brain cancer has unfortunately affected many in my State. Today I 
share just one of these stories to increase awareness around this 
devastating disease. Gary Leingang was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an 
aggressive form of brain cancer, in June 2008. At the same time Gary 
was fighting his cancer, his wife Mona was battling breast cancer. Gary 
stood by her side and took care of Mona when she was on chemo and 
recovered. Unfortunately, Gary's fight with brain cancer ended on March 
9, 2010. Before he passed, he said he wanted to make sure something 
good came out of his cancer. So, in his honor, his wife and children 
have shared his story to advance scientific research and increase 
awareness within the medical community in supporting patients, their 
families and caregivers afflicted with brain cancer. Last year, Mona 
worked with Louisiana lawmakers to establish Louisiana Gray Day on May 
9--Gary's birthday.
  It is my hope that in recognizing May 9 we will honor Gary's legacy 
and all help to bring greater awareness for all those affected by brain 
cancer, and perhaps even prevent some brain cancer-related deaths in 
the future.

                          ____________________