On August 13th, 2025, I took my perfectly healthy 4-year-old daughter, Isabella, to the ED for abnormal movements of her eyes. What I thought, or hoped, was going to be a diagnosis of a lazy eye, turned into my worst nightmare come true. The next day, Isabella, or “Izzy” as we call her, was diagnosed with DIPG, an inoperable brainstem tumor, which has a median survival of 9-11 months. As a pediatric oncology NP, my first instinct was to assume Izzy had a brain tumor, and I had to actively talk myself out of jumping to the worst case scenario, as I often did.
Isabella loves princesses and unicorns. She learned to swim this summer, all while this monster of a tumor was growing inside of her little head. Izzy played t-ball this fall. She just went back to gymnastics classes. She loves preK. She is adored by her two younger brothers. She’s at an age where she talks about the future, “when I become a Mommy”, “when I turn 5”, “when I can drive a car”. It makes my heart sink every time, because the chance of a future is statistically unlikely.
DIPG is a disease that has been ignored for many decades. Right now, Izzy’s only chance at extending her life lies in clinical trials — phase 1 studies that exist to test safety, not to cure. There are treatments being developed that are significantly shrinking tumors in some children. But we need to accelerate this research, so treatment modalities can be combined together into treatment protocols. Cancer is not cured with one therapy alone. In pediatrics, research moves painfully slow, much slower than for adults, due to lack of funding, lack of the ability of drug companies to profit off of pediatric cancer treatments and government regulations in place for pediatric research that inhibit its growth.
After more than 20 years of caring for children with cancer, I never thought I’d be the mom begging for more time. So I’m asking, pleading— for awareness, for funding, for urgency. Please help me raise funds to accelerate research for a cure for DIPG, for Izzy, for all of the children fighting now and for those that have yet to start their fight. I have spoken with many doctors that specialize in DIPG and many are confident that there will be a cure for DIPG one day. I want to make that day sooner. I want to save my sweet girl more than anything, but if I can't save Izzy, then I want to save the next Izzy, because no parent should ever hear that their child’s cancer has no cure.
DIPG facts:
DIPG is an inoperable tumor in the brainstem.
Children with DIPG slowly lose the ability to move, talk, eat and smile, all while their brain is still functioning.
The average age at diagnosis is 5-10 years old.
Donations made to Tough2gether Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. While funds raised in connection with this family will directly support them, all donations are made to Tough2gether Foundation and may also be used to support other families facing pediatric cancer, related programs, and charitable initiatives at the Foundation’s discretion.
Honor Roll
Jean Files
May 23, 2026
Pennsylvania, US
Marc Caminiti
May 22, 2026
Pennsylvania, US
Sharon Hughes
May 21, 2026
Pennsylvania, US
Anonymous
May 17, 2026
North Carolina, US
Elizabeth Connor
May 17, 2026
New York, US
Rebecca Earl
May 17, 2026
New York, US
Giselle Lombardi
May 17, 2026
New York, US
Patricia Kavy
May 17, 2026
New York, US
Christine Asaro
May 16, 2026
New York, US
Anonymous
May 15, 2026
Pennsylvania, US
Michelle Casarella
May 15, 2026
New York, US
“Prayers for Izzy❤️🙏”
Robin Burkett
May 15, 2026
Pennsylvania, US
James Rennebaum
May 13, 2026
Ohio, US
Helen Katyansky
May 11, 2026
Pennsylvania, US
“For every Izzy out there💕”
Keanna Maltzman
May 8, 2026
New York, US
“Mahopac Dances Against Cancer Event 5/1 - Donations for Shine With Izzy”
Jaime Chahalis
May 7, 2026
New York, US
Gae Lewis
May 4, 2026
Washington, US
“Praying hard for a cure! Praying your sweet baby girl will keep showing improvement with this trial and for total healing ❤️”
Jasey Geary
May 3, 2026
Nebraska, US
Theresa Fervers
May 3, 2026
Florida, US
Anonymous
May 2, 2026
New York, US
“God bless you Izzy and heal you forever ! May all my prayers be heard by our Lord for you!! 🙏🏻🩶😘”
Nicole Lepore Bicknese
May 1, 2026
South Carolina, US
Daniela Zavala
May 1, 2026
New York, US
Holly Patete
May 1, 2026
Illinois, US
Anthony Pellegrino
May 1, 2026
New York, US
“praying for you Izzy and all who are fighting this fight!”
Tracy Letizia
May 1, 2026
New York, US
Karen Mensi
May 1, 2026
New York, US
Jeffrey Cole
May 1, 2026
New York, US
“burke”
Daneen Gazzola
May 1, 2026
New York, US
“Praying for Izzy”
Erin Sfera
May 1, 2026
New York, US
Jessica figa
May 1, 2026
New York, US
John Henry
Apr 30, 2026
Florida, US
Mat Welch
Apr 29, 2026
Missouri, US
“Hope the study continues and no othet family has to go through it again”
Galyna Pysmenna
Apr 28, 2026
New York, US
Kim New
Apr 27, 2026
Ohio, US
Brie Monroe
Apr 27, 2026
Arizona, US
Anonymous
Apr 26, 2026
New York, US
“I know of Izzy through my sister and kids who are dancers at Epic. Please reach out for anything. Meals, childcare, etc. Thinking of all of you.”
Kristin Ohnmacht
Apr 25, 2026
New York, US
Bekki Salamon
Apr 25, 2026
Ohio, US
“keep sharing. keep fighting”
Amiee Mittleman
Apr 25, 2026
Florida, US
“Izzy❤️”
Stephanie Flynn
Apr 23, 2026
New York, US
Kara Heldt
Apr 23, 2026
Washington, US
“praying for this family”
Lisa Farrell
Apr 22, 2026
New York, US
“donation towards Izzy Cashion”
Nicole Occhiogrosso
Apr 22, 2026
New York, US
Ashley Strahlendorff
Apr 22, 2026
Pennsylvania, US
“Always keeping Izzy in my prayers!”
Diana Dagnone
Apr 22, 2026
New York, US
“Praying for Izzy Cashion and all the DIPG warriors everyday”
Nancy Venditti
Apr 22, 2026
New York, US
“donation towards Izzy 💗💜”
Lisa Mastropietro
Apr 22, 2026
New York, US
Anonymous
Apr 22, 2026
Michigan, US
“In support of Izzy Cashion”
Karyn Mueller
Apr 22, 2026
Ohio, US
Tracey Ierna
Apr 22, 2026
New York, US
Anonymous
Apr 22, 2026
Massachusetts, US
“You are so loved my sweet princess Isabella. 🩷💜”
Nana & Zedo Janosko
Apr 22, 2026
Pennsylvania, US
Valerie Orent
Apr 22, 2026
New York, US
Anonymous
Apr 22, 2026
New York, US
Lyndsey Shugarts
Apr 22, 2026
Ohio, US
Melanie Mcmillen
Apr 22, 2026
New York, US
Lindsey Pontuso
Apr 22, 2026
Massachusetts, US
DeAnna DiNapoli
Apr 20, 2026
New York, US
Laura Whitten
Apr 20, 2026
New York, US
Jennifer Vogelhut
Apr 20, 2026
New Jersey, US
“God bless Izzy.”
Werner Ullrich
Apr 19, 2026
Pennsylvania, US
Anonymous
Apr 19, 2026
Massachusetts, US
“❤️”
Donna and Gary Lewis
Apr 19, 2026
New York, US
Jessica Peterson
Apr 19, 2026
Connecticut, US
Jennifer Lyons
Apr 19, 2026
New York, US
Joan Janosko
Apr 19, 2026
Pennsylvania, US
Benjamin Brownlee
Apr 19, 2026
Virginia, US
“Fighting for Izzy, fighting for my son Miles (age 4.5 diagnosed with DIPG Feb. 2026) and fighting for all the other sweet kiddos like them and those yet to be diagnosed.”
Veronica Aguilar
Apr 19, 2026
California, US
Fran Fitzsimmons
Apr 19, 2026
New York, US
“Hoping to help this beautiful little girl and all the other children like her 💜”
Laura Segal
Apr 19, 2026
Michigan, US
Sara PROUSALIS
Apr 19, 2026
Massachusetts, US
Danielle Trupiano
Apr 19, 2026
New York, US
Regina Calciano
Apr 19, 2026
New York, US
Lisa Roth
Apr 19, 2026
New York, US
ELIZABETH CONNOR
Apr 19, 2026
New York, US
Annalisa Mancini
Apr 19, 2026
New York, US
Vicki Cooper
Apr 18, 2026
New York, US
Anonymous
Apr 18, 2026
Ohio, US
Julia Wynne
Apr 17, 2026
Texas, US
Mária Viltskó P.-Porcs
Apr 14, 2026
Nyíregyháza, HU
$26,948.00
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