We would like to introduce the world to our kind, loving, happy, sassy 5 year old only child, Karter. He is braver and stronger than most adults. Unfortunately he is also fighting for his life. On July 26/22 he was diagnosed with a terminal DIPG tumor. This is the day that our world was turned upside down and absolutely destroyed. DIPG is an inoperable and untreatable tumor on the PONS in the BRAINSTEM. We were not even aware that there was such a thing prior to diagnosis and have since been forced to realize that most have not heard of this terrible, destructive, fast moving, aggressive and deadly cancer. We want to change this. We want to change the stigma and taboo associated with discussing these very difficult subjects. We have discovered that DIPG and other childhood cancers receive single digits of all funding compared to adult cancers and DIPG receives even less. We understand how difficult, uncomfortable and disheartening talking about DIPG and Childhood Cancers can be. We understand how sad, heartbreaking and incomprehensible this subject can be however we need to change this. Hundreds of thousands of children and their families, and more, face DIPG annually and more cases are being diagnosed every day. Even more face other Childhood Cancers every year. We do not hear about DIPG or Childhood Cancers in the media, on social media and often not even in medical journals. We do not see a sea of Gold and Grey in every store, office, corporation, bank, government establishment or on every billboard, not even in September which is designated as Childhood Cancer month or on May 17, DIPG day. What can be more important than saving our children? Childhood cancer is a very sad and difficult topic to discuss. It is uncomfortable and incomprehensible because of the circumstances and reality involved. We really do get it! However we also understand that we must change the stigma and taboo surrounding this topic. We need to create the conversation. We need to change the conversation. We need to do better for the children facing this monster. We need to find treatments and cures! We are usually private people however we have been forced to re-evaluate and adjust our lives in ways we never thought we would. It is dumbfounding that in 2022 we are unable to talk about childhood cancers and even more mindboggling to learn that funding for childhood cancers and advancements have pretty much stagnated for decades. We want to make the public aware that Childhood Cancer and DIPG are very real and grossly underfunded and underrecognized. We want to change the conversation and promote funding and advancements in DIPG and all other Childhood Cancers. We invite you to join us on this life changing journey.
