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
“Praying for Izzy always”
Rachel Levy
Oct 13, 2026
New York, US
“Wish we could give Izzy and the family a huge hug!!! We may never meet but know that you have people praying and fighting with you! Sending prayers and hugs!”
martin wiosna
Oct 10, 2026
Connecticut, US
Stephanie Flynn
Oct 5, 2026
New York, US
Kim Zampier
Oct 5, 2026
New York, US
“God bless Izzy 🙏”
Marie Pantone
Oct 1, 2026
New York, US
“You are in my prayers.”
Lorraine Langrp
Oct 1, 2026
New York, US
“Keep fighting, Izzy. You are a beautiful, courageous, princess warrior.”
Jean Michalove
Oct 1, 2026
Georgia, US
Anonymous
Sep 30, 2026
New York, US
Kelly Wolf
Sep 30, 2026
Ohio, US
“Prayers for izzy and family”
Andrea Barresi
Sep 30, 2026
New York, US
Marcie Spicel
Sep 29, 2026
Ohio, US
Stacey Gordon
Sep 26, 2026
New York, US
“In honor of our beautiful little princess, Izzy Cashion. Love you so much. 💛 Nana and Zedo”
Joan Janosko
Sep 25, 2026
Pennsylvania, US
“You are a Beautiful, Strong young lady! God Bless you!”
Sally Bryson
Sep 24, 2026
New York, US
Anonymous
Sep 24, 2026
Florida, US
Krysti Okeefe
Sep 22, 2026
New York, US
Anonymous
Sep 20, 2026
New Jersey, US
Cathy Bernard
Sep 20, 2026
New York, US
Catharine Diehl
Sep 20, 2026
Zuid-Holland, NL
“praying for izzy”
Grace Romagnoli
Sep 19, 2026
New York, US
“Praying daily for your sweet girl and all the others fighting this disease.”
Sheila Baldwin
Sep 18, 2026
Ohio, US
Anonymous
Sep 17, 2026
New York, US
Christina Salvatore
Sep 14, 2026
New York, US
Anonymous
Sep 14, 2026
Bern, CH
“Prayers for Izzy, your family, and all those battling.”
Kate Bellantoni
Sep 13, 2026
New York, US
“will be praying for Izzy and your family. stay strong and keep fighting!”
martin wiosna
Sep 10, 2026
Connecticut, US
“all prayers for lizzy’s health 🙏”
Orit Cohen
Sep 6, 2026
IL
“For Izzy and all of the children”
Cathleen Wilson
Sep 4, 2026
Idaho, US
Silvia Aiazza
Sep 4, 2026
21, IT
“🙏”
Andrea Giegerich
Sep 3, 2026
Iowa, US
“praying for Izzy & all the others battling cancer. 🙏🏼♥️”
Emily DiNome
Sep 3, 2026
New York, US
“Fellow pediatric brain cancer mom just praying more research for our brave kids”
Kelsey Miller
Sep 3, 2026
Nevada, US
Emma Hirschmugl
Sep 3, 2026
New York, US
Charlotte Serpe
Sep 3, 2026
New Jersey, US
Anonymous
Sep 2, 2026
New York, US
Christina Faraone
Sep 1, 2026
New York, US
Anonymous
Sep 1, 2026
New York, US
Emma Rewekant
Sep 1, 2026
New York, US
“Praying for your sweet girl, and your family.”
Denise Maiorano
Sep 1, 2026
New York, US
Linda Toth
Aug 24, 2026
Ohio, US
Anonymous
Aug 18, 2026
New York, US
“with love, Peggy (Crystal & John, HIC, mom)”
Crystal Rodriguez
Aug 17, 2026
New York, US
Crystal Rodriguez
Aug 17, 2026
New York, US
Anonymous
Aug 14, 2026
Connecticut, US
Anonymous
Aug 14, 2026
Connecticut, US
“praying for Izzy and hoping a cure will be soon. May all her tests come out better and better until her yumor is gone!”
Marie Polizzi
Aug 14, 2026
New York, US
Anonymous
Aug 14, 2026
New York, US
“❤️”
Laurie Walker
Jul 31, 2026
Ohio, US
Howard Montgomery
Jul 24, 2026
Ohio, US
“Sending prayers always 🙏 Izzy is a beautiful and courageous Princess. 🩷🙏💚 We must have hope!!”
Kimberly Foster
Jul 17, 2026
New York, US
Anonymous
Jun 17, 2026
Ohio, US
“Happy Birthday Izzy🧡”
Margaretta Bodnar
Jun 14, 2026
Pennsylvania, US
Stacey Speelman
Jun 3, 2026
Washington, US
“On behalf of the Occupational Therapy department and everyone at Westchester Putnam TheraTeam.. we cheer on Izzy every step of the way! We ran a raffle to raise money for Izzy and DIPG! We raised anout $600!”
Westchester Putnam TheraTeam
May 28, 2026
New York, US
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
$31,958.00
$1,000,000.00
New York, United States
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