DIPG: Current Treatment Options
Treatment for DIPG, described by international neurosurgeon Professor Charlie Teo as “the worst of all the worst brain tumours” (TEDX Talk, 2015) has remained the same for the last 30 years. Treatment comprises 6 weeks of radiotherapy and concomitant steroid treatment with Dexamethasone, and can only aim to extend life for a few months. There are so many incredible scientific and technological discoveries, but the road to curing DIPG, or even significantly extending the life of those who suffer, has proved extraordinarily difficult. The fact that there’s been a significant lack of funding and scientific attention focussed on better understanding and solving the DIPG puzzle has resulted in thousands of devastated families. Because of its location in the brain, could it also be that understanding DIPG cancer could unlock the cure for all types of cancer?
This beautifully put together “Defeat DIPG” video explains why a cure for DIPG still alludes us, and why it is important to provide funding for research (7 minutes long)
For the latest clinical trials that may provide some hope for DIPG sufferers please check out the DIPG Registry:
Enhancing Quality of Life for Kids with Cancer
It goes without saying that any paediatric cancer diagnosis is incredibly distressing for all involved. While Alex and I were thankful for some (relatively very small) mercies after the horror of a terminal diagnosis set in, nothing came close to the realisation we had that we were not alone on the journey. The people that shared in our pain, our heartbreak and our joy that our son could live his life large before he had to go, were amazing. Not least was the support and understanding we received from Eli’s childcare centre. A world-first, Gan Hahalamot, or ‘Garden of Dreams’ provided Eli with the chance to be ‘normal’ little guy. For about 3 months Eli had the chance to make friends, to get involved in everyday activities with his mates and to have something to tell his big brother about when he got home. To learn more about how incredible the kindergarten was and how perfectly timed it’s opening was for us, click on:
i24 News Report on ‘Garden of Dreams’
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
To contribute to DIPG research and to help discover a cure, please consider donating to:
To contribute to the amazing service that the Garden of Dreams provides please go to:
To help fund pediatric cancer research, please go to Professor Charlie Teo’s Pediatric Brain Cancer Foundation:
Eli the Viking Angel 