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…
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