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 and a cure !”
Ruth Allen
Apr 11, 2026
Maine, US
Lindsey Santana
Apr 11, 2026
Ohio, US
Tara Quinn
Apr 11, 2026
New York, US
“For Izzy and all the Izzys fighting this monster!!!”
Renee stankowski
Apr 10, 2026
New York, US
Meghan Solarz
Apr 10, 2026
New Jersey, US
Nicole Duncan
Apr 9, 2026
Texas, US
“For Izzy. keep shining, keep fighting. Love, the Barresi family”
Andrea Barresi
Apr 9, 2026
New York, US
“Izzy”
Emily Smyth
Apr 9, 2026
New York, US
Kerry Johnston
Apr 9, 2026
New York, US
“for Izzy 🙏🏻💗”
Kyle Mintzer
Apr 9, 2026
New York, US
Anonymous
Apr 7, 2026
New York, US
Lorraine Langro
Apr 7, 2026
New York, US
“Sending many prayers and love.”
Lorraine Langro
Apr 7, 2026
New York, US
Sandra Romagnolo
Apr 6, 2026
New York, US
Barri Tabak
Apr 6, 2026
New Jersey, US
Victoria Miller
Apr 6, 2026
New Jersey, US
Ashley White
Apr 5, 2026
South Carolina, US
Anonymous
Apr 5, 2026
Connecticut, US
Claire Abello
Apr 5, 2026
California, US
Malgorzata Albertin
Apr 5, 2026
Ontario, CA
Anonymous
Apr 5, 2026
Massachusetts, US
Kelly Dresser
Apr 5, 2026
Colorado, US
Sally tyrie
Apr 5, 2026
Massachusetts, US
Noga Ruttenberg
Apr 5, 2026
New York, US
Anonymous
Apr 5, 2026
Maryland, US
“Praying for a cure for Izzy and all those who are faced with cancer. 🙏🏻”
Megan Espinola
Apr 5, 2026
New Hampshire, US
Jessica Schwartz
Apr 5, 2026
Vermont, US
Kristen Walsh
Apr 5, 2026
New York, US
Alexandra Cukier
Apr 5, 2026
New York, US
Angie Ryan
Apr 5, 2026
SHF, GB
Anonymous
Apr 5, 2026
Ohio, US
Annika Lucarelli
Apr 5, 2026
New Jersey, US
Anonymous
Apr 5, 2026
Florida, US
Bwth Robins
Apr 5, 2026
Illinois, US
Anonymous
Apr 5, 2026
Michigan, US
Jolene Kramer
Apr 5, 2026
California, US
“Innsupport of Izzy, with love, Annemarie Petroff.”
Annemarie K
Apr 5, 2026
North Carolina, US
Annie Frederick
Apr 5, 2026
Washington, US
Dana Libov
Apr 5, 2026
New York, US
“may the clinical trial to save your beautiful Izzy be found❤️🩹”
Jessica Stevens
Apr 5, 2026
Massachusetts, US
Hildigunnur Engilbertsdottir
Apr 5, 2026
IS
Sarah Bilsky
Apr 5, 2026
Mississippi, US
Anonymous
Apr 5, 2026
California, US
Missy Bower
Apr 5, 2026
Ohio, US
Elizabeth Gamache
Apr 5, 2026
New York, US
Anonymous
Apr 5, 2026
New York, US
Leah Rose
Apr 5, 2026
Florida, US
Jenica Bolduc
Apr 5, 2026
Arkansas, US
Hannah Gardener
Apr 5, 2026
Massachusetts, US
Anonymous
Apr 5, 2026
Massachusetts, US
Mary Miller
Apr 5, 2026
Pennsylvania, US
Elizabeth Boehmler
Apr 5, 2026
New York, US
Whitney Ponticelli
Apr 5, 2026
Virginia, US
Katherine Connolly
Apr 5, 2026
New York, US
Kelly Lernihan
Apr 5, 2026
Illinois, US
Caryl Ewing
Apr 5, 2026
Louisiana, US
Anonymous
Apr 5, 2026
Massachusetts, US
Marie-Josée Desroches
Apr 5, 2026
Zürich, CH
Megan Daily
Apr 5, 2026
New Jersey, US
Anonymous
Apr 5, 2026
Minnesota, US
Anonymous
Apr 5, 2026
New York, US
Kathy Katz
Apr 5, 2026
Vermont, US
Meghan Whittaker
Apr 5, 2026
Virginia, US
Anonymous
Apr 5, 2026
Ohio, US
Anonymous
Apr 5, 2026
Florida, US
Alexis Trakhtorchuk
Apr 5, 2026
Pennsylvania, US
Kaitlyn Egnot
Apr 5, 2026
Pennsylvania, US
Aileen de Los Angeles
Apr 5, 2026
California, US
Anonymous
Apr 5, 2026
Arizona, US
Anonymous
Apr 4, 2026
California, US
Anonymous
Apr 4, 2026
Massachusetts, US
JKE
Apr 4, 2026
New York, US
Maggie Ferris
Apr 4, 2026
Illinois, US
“My heart is broken for you and your sweet Izzy.”
Jill Hurd
Apr 4, 2026
California, US
Jennifer Bieler
Apr 4, 2026
New Jersey, US
Anonymous
Apr 4, 2026
Illinois, US
Anonymous
Apr 4, 2026
Pennsylvania, US
Laura Woodruff
Apr 4, 2026
California, US
“praying so hard”
Catherine Herman
Apr 4, 2026
Pennsylvania, US
Emilie Giguere
Apr 4, 2026
British Columbia, CA
$20,363.00
$1,000,000.00
Powered by Givecloud.
