UNS—Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta organized an educational event commemorating World Brain Tumor Day 2025. The Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine (FK) UNS, and the Brain Tumor Patient and Family Community (Kepodang) collaborated to conduct this event. The event was held at the FK UNS Auditorium on Sunday (15/6/2025). This event carried the theme “World Brain Tumor Day: Bersama Komunitas Kepodang,” highlighting the role of the community in the recovery process.
The World Brain Tumor Day, observed globally every June 8, serves as a reminder of the importance of raising awareness about brain tumors. In line with this, FK UNS held the event to help the public gain a deeper understanding of brain tumor symptoms and treatment options.
The event began at 08.00 a.m. (Jakarta time, UTC+7) with participant registration. The organizing committee warmly welcomed all attendees, including community members and families of brain tumor survivors. The opening ceremony included singing the Indonesian national anthem, Indonesia Raya.
Following this sequence, several healthcare practitioners in Surakarta delivered welcoming remarks. Among them were the Chair of PERDOSNI Surakarta Branch, Dr. dr. Pepi Budianto, Sp.N., Subsp.NN(K)., FINR., FINA., and the Head of the Department of Neurology FK UNS, Dr. dr. Rivan Danuaji, Sp.N., Subsp.NIOO(K)., M.Kes., FAAN. The welcoming remarks concluded with a prayer for the event to run smoothly.
Two Educational Sessions
Before diving into the next session, participants took a pre-test to measure their initial knowledge about brain tumors. The results provided a benchmark to evaluate the materials’ effectiveness throughout the day.
There were two main educational sessions. The first session was “Brain Tumors, What Are They?” and was presented by dr. Teddy Tejomukti. In his presentation, dr. Teddy offered foundational knowledge about the types of brain tumors, the symptoms, the diagnostic processes, and the available treatment options. Besides, he also emphasized the importance of early detection and the role of technology in treating brain tumors.
“Early detection and the role of technology in treating brain tumors are important to recognize,” said dr. Teddy.
The second session focused on “Managing Headaches in Brain Tumor Patients” and was delivered by Dr. dr. Pepi Budianto, Sp.N., Subsp.NN(K). In this session, dr. Pepi provided insights into headache symptoms commonly experienced by brain tumor patients, their mechanisms, and medical and non-medical treatment approaches. Additionally, he elaborated on specific therapies, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods.
“We specifically discussed the headache symptoms commonly experienced by brain tumor patients, the mechanisms behind them, as well as both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment approaches,” explained dr. Pepi.
Sharing Session with the Brain Tumor Survivors
One of the most emotional moments of the event came during sharing an inspirational story. A brain tumor survivor recounted their journey of dealing with the diagnosis, undergoing treatment, receiving family support, and maintaining the will to live. The story moved the audience and provided a strong sense of motivation and hope.
This inspiring story encouraged many participants to become more aware of their brain health and highlighted the importance of empathy and support. Moreover, the event included an interactive discussion. The interactive discussion allowed participants to ask about symptoms, diagnosis, and recovery prospects. Both speakers, dr. Teddy and dr. Pepi, answered the questions clearly and comprehensively, creating an informative and engaging atmosphere.
The committee gave some gifts to the active participants to appreciate their enthusiasm. This moment brought the participants, the community, and medical professionals closer together, fostering a warm and friendly environment.
The event concluded with an announcement session followed by group photos. All participants, organizers, and community members gathered on the main stage for a photo session. This photo session marked the end of the meaningful and well-organized event.
UNS’s Commitment to Public Health
Carrying the theme #BersamaKomunitasKepodang, this event emphasized the crucial role of the community in the recovery process. Kepodang Community is expected to become a space for sharing experiences, motivation, and continuous education. The collaboration affirmed FK UNS’s commitment to public health. This activity signified a medical education opportunity to foster empathy and solidarity.
Through events like this, the public becomes more aware of the importance of early detection of brain tumors. The event was also part of UNS’s ongoing efforts to support the third Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), which promotes good health and well-being. Humas UNS
