Moving glioblastoma from terminal to treatable, powered by patients
OurBrainBank is an innovative, patient-led movement designed to move glioblastoma from terminal to treatable, powered by patients.
Our key tool is a free app that patients or caregivers use to track symptoms, share data with clinicians, and donate data to medical research.
Read our GBM Bill of Rights and print out a copy to take to your doctor.
Our founder, Jessica Morris (1963-2021), lived with glioblastoma for more than five years. Read her story.
OurBrainBank is a completely new approach to cracking cancer. We focus on one of the most complex and aggressive brain cancers — glioblastoma — because overcoming one of the toughest cancers may be the key to cracking them all.
OurBrainBank is designed by, for, and with people with glioblastoma.
We use cutting-edge technology to enable people to manage their disease, while turning their data into medical currency aimed at accelerating progress. Learn more.
JOIN OUR STUDY
GBM patients or care partners are invited to join our IRB-approved study using a smartphone or tablet app. Patients must be age 18+ and in the US (expanding abroad soon). Download from the Apple Store or Google Play and enter code OBB100 when prompted (US only, UK coming soon).
Why take part?
• Sharing your daily data helps your medical team
• Donating your data to researchers deepens understanding of the disease and treatments
• Joining a patient pool helps clinical trial recruitment
WHO
Community
OurBrainBank is a powerful community of people affected by GBM supporting each other through video calls, a Facebook group, newsletter, Instagram, Twitter, and a YouTube channel. We’re growing all the time, please join us.
Leadership
Our board includes passionate professionals from the worlds of media, tech, strategy, business, and law — some living with GBM, all touched by the disease.
Medical & Tech Advisors
Our medical and tech advisors include neuro-oncologists, neurosurgeons, academics, and other experts from institutions such as Columbia University, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the NIH, Memorial Sloan Kettering, NYU Langone Health, and Northwell Health.
13,000 people are diagnosed with glioblastoma in the US each year
15,000 people are lost
5% five-year survival rate
5% of research funding applications succeed
Research shows that patients who self-track symptoms and treatments have better outcomes
“When I use the app, I’m managing the disease, not the other way around. I need better treatments now.”
— Jessica Morris, OurBrainBank Founder 1963-2021
“We’re honored to have world-class neuro-oncologists advising us, ensuring that we analyze the data we collect to best effect.”
— Kelli Duprey, Principal Investigator
“The key to tackling GBM lies in research. This app could have a real impact on our ability to extend lives.”
— Fabio Iwamoto, MD, Deputy Head of Neuro-Oncology at Columbia University
WHAT
Three strategic, interrelated programs:
OBB Explore: researchers use patient data & methodology.
OBB Engage: patient-centered advocacy
OBB Empower: improved access to clinical trials
MEDIA
Media around the world has covered our groundbreaking work including the New York Times, The Guardian, and more.