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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

We are incredibly grateful for the community we have created - it's time to say goodbye to our regularly scheduled chats. With ❤️, the #BTSM chats co-founder & organizer team @thelizarmy.bsky.social @sabine-nj.bsky.social @mcintose.bsky.social @shawncarey42.bsky.social @stuartselby.bsky.social

The Friends We Made Along the Way:
Sunsetting Brain Tumor Social Media (#BTSM) Online Chats
December 7, 2025
Dear Members of the #BTSM Community,
It is with both gratitude and reflection that today we announce the decision to sunset the regular Brain Tumor Social Media (#BTSM) online chats.
The #BTSM community was founded in May 2012 to foster support, provide education, and advocate for the brain tumor community, and has served as a vital online gathering place for patients, care partners, clinicians, researchers, and advocacy organizations. Through monthly live Twitter chats (and later other online formats), participants could share experiences, ask questions, and discuss topics related to diagnosis, treatment, research, quality of life, survivorship, and end of life. #BTSM has always been a grassroots initiative—created, moderated, and sustained by patients and care partners committed to connection and advocacy.
Rationale for Sunsetting #BTSM Chat
This decision was made after careful consideration of several key factors, and #BTSM advance care planning:
• The social media landscape has changed significantly since #BTSM began, and patterns of engagement have evolved accordingly.
• Many of our dedicated moderators and organizers are transitioning into new professional and personal roles, making it increasingly difficult to sustain the regular chat schedule.
• The needs of the brain tumor community continue to evolve, and the traditional live-chat format no longer fully reflects the ways individuals connect and share information online.
After much discussion, the organizer team determined that this is an appropriate moment to close this chapter of scheduled #BTSM chats, while honoring the extraordinary legacy of community and advocacy they represent.
Gratitude to the #BTSM Community
We extend our deepest appreciation to every person who participated in #BTSM chats over the years. Whether you shared your story, offered support, asked a question, or simply followe…

Recognition of #BTSM Moderators
The power of #BTSM has always come from its people—the patients, care partners, clinicians, researchers, advocates, and friends—those whose dedication to tuning in, whose curiosity to learn, willingness to help, kindness to strangers, and belief in a movement have defined this effort. The real #BTSM are the friends made along the way.
But the success and longevity of #BTSM would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of its organizers and moderators. Their dedication, time, and commitment - often undertaken quietly and without recognition - sustained the community, provided steady guidance throughout its evolution, and has been instrumental in fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all participants. We gratefully acknowledge the following individuals for their years of service (from - to) and leadership:
• Charlie Blotner, co-founder (2012 - 2020)
• Liz Salmi, co-founder (2012 - 2021)
• Adam Hayden (2017 - 2021)
• Jeremy Pivor (2018 - 2021)
• Sabine Schwab (2018 - present)
• Lisa O’Leary (2018 - 2024)
• Ashley Love Sumrall (2020 - 2022)
• Emily McIntosh (2021- present)
• Shawn Carey (2022 - present)
• Guy Lipof (2023 - 2024)
• Stuart Selby (2024 - present)
Looking Ahead: A Future #BTSM?
While the regularly scheduled chats have concluded, the #BTSM hashtag remains active as a continuing means for connection, resource sharing, and community engagement within the broader brain tumor social media ecosystem. We encourage ongoing use of the hashtag to amplify awareness, share knowledge, promote collaboration, and sustain the relationships #BTSM inspired. Though this marks the end of one era, it also represents an evolution—an opportunity for new forms of connection, advocacy, and dialogue to emerge.
We offer our heartfelt thanks to every individual who has contributed to the success of #BTSM since its inception. Together, we have created a legacy of patient empowerment, advocacy, and community.
No…

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Repeating Q4: #BTSM In a world that constantly changes: what keeps you motivated to stay engaged in advocacy, even when progress oftentimes feels slow? What advice would you give to others just starting on this advocacy journey?

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Q4: #BTSM In a world that constantly changes: what keeps you motivated to stay engaged in advocacy, even when progress oftentimes feels slow? What advice would you give to others just starting on this advocacy journey?

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Repeating Q3: #BTSM What ideas or approaches do you think could help address these gaps, and how can we, as a community, work together to drive change? What partnerships with other organizations do you suggest for a stronger and more effective impact?

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Q3: #BTSM What ideas or approaches do you think could help address these gaps, and how can we, as a community, work together to drive change? What partnerships with other organizations do you suggest for a stronger and more effective impact?

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

If you are here tonight to just listen, please post “#BTSM” so we know you’re in the audience. 👋

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Repeating Q2: #BTSM In what area(s) do you see the greatest need for advocacy in the #braintumor community today? In what area do you believe we can make the most meaningful impact?

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Q2: #BTSM In what area(s) do you see the greatest need for advocacy in the #braintumor community today? In what area do you believe we can make the most meaningful impact?

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Repeating Q1: #BTSM What type(s) of patient advocacy have you personally been involved with, and how has your focus evolved over time? Please share with our community what inspires and drives your interest in this space. For non advocates: how have you personally been helped by someone’s advocacy?

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Q1: #BTSM What type(s) of patient advocacy have you personally been involved with, and how has your focus evolved over time? Please share with our community what inspires and drives your interest in this space. For non advocates: how have you personally been helped by someone’s advocacy efforts?

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Tonight’s #BTSM theme is: Brain Tumor Advocacy. Where passion meets progress.

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

Calling all advocates! Don’t forget today’s #braintumor Advocacy #BTSM #skychat is tonight at 4pm PT / 7pm ET. We hope to see you there!

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Who will be joining us this Sunday for our second #BTSM #SkyChat ? #oncosky #oncsky #medsky #AYACSM #cansky 🔹 Sunday, 6/08, 🔹 4 pm PT; 7pm ET 🔹Topic: Brain Tumor Advocacy: Where passion meets progress.

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

We're getting closer to our June 8th #BTSM chat where we'll discuss #braintumor Advocacy. We hope you can join us on Sunday at our new time, one hour earlier, at 4 PM Pacific / 7 PM Eastern! #oncosky #oncsky #medsky #AYACSM #cansky

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

We're so excited for our June 8, 2025 #BTSM #skychat on #braintumor Advocacy that we've moved our start time ONE HOUR EARLIER to better accommodate schedules. We'll start at 4 PM Pacific / 7 PM Eastern instead of 5pm/8pm. We hope you can join us! #oncosky #oncsky #medsky #AYACSM #cansky

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

It's a big weekend with #ASCO25 taking place, but we're still getting ready for our June 8, 2025 #BTSM #skychat, and reflecting on 12 years of chats our theme will be #braintumor Advocacy. We hope you can join us! #oncosky #oncsky #medsky #AYACSM #cansky

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

#BTSM is celebrating 12 years of chats TODAY! 🥳🎉 The inaugural chat took place on May 19th, 2013. Thank you, Charlie Blotter and @thelizarmy.bsky.social for getting this movement started. We have helped + interacted with hundreds of individuals over the years. (Graphic by @stuartselby.bsky.social)

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

Half of the @btsmchat.bsky.social organizer team (@sabine-nj.bsky.social and @shawncarey42.bsky.social) participate at @braintumor.org’s 2025 #Head2Hill advocacy event in DC this week. Find any one of us if you’d like to learn more about #BTSM.

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

Q4: #BTSM What challenges around information seeking and sharing do you see in the future? What can groups like this #BTSM chat and others do to better support the brain tumor community this year?

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

Q3 for all: #BTSM a) Can you share your best resource/book/website/etc. with the #braintumor community for any specific question, topic or issue you have encountered? b) What do you most like about this source?

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

Q2 for clinicians and scientists:: #BTSM How do you stay current with all of the information and new studies in the field?

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

Q2 for patients and care partners:: #BTSM a) Where do you turn to for reputable information and resources when it comes to your brain tumor diagnosis and treatment? b) What makes a resource valuable to you? c) What steps do you take to verify that the resource is trustworthy?

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

Q1 for clinicians and scientists:: #BTSM What kind of resources do you typically share with patients? How does it change based on where they are in their care journey?

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

Q1 for patients and care partners: #BTSM What information are you generally interested in when it comes to your/your loved one’s care (such as treatment options, managing side effects, support groups, survivorship tips, etc.)?

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

Tonight’s #BTSM theme is: Getting resourceful: How resources can help the brain tumor community to be better equipped, informed and empowered.

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

⚠️ The first ever #BTSM #skychat will take place on March 30, 2025, 4 pm PT / 7 pm ET. We sincerely hope the #bsky #braintumor community will continue to contribute to the more than a decade-long history of #btsm chats. #oncsky #ayacsm #academicsky #medsky #cansky #neurooncology #neurosurgery

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

Hi #Braintumor Patients, Care Partners, Clinicians, Researchers, Scientists, Friends, and Supporters! We're happy to report that our #BTSM chat starter pack is ready! In case we missed you, let us know and we'll add you to the list.

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

2) for patients, care partners, clinicians: What social media platforms do you use, and what are the different purposes you use them for, if any? #BTSM

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

1) for patients, care partners, and clinicians: How long have you been participating in the #BTSM chat, and why do you participate? What is your favorite and/or least favorite part of the chat?

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Brain Tumor Social Media Chat @btsmchat.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

Hi #BTSM friends! While we’re working on a first chat topic to launch in Q1 on Blue Sky, join us this Sunday over at X for the 1st 2025 #BTSM chat of the year.

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