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
George Gorbatenko
Feb 24, 2026
Minnesota, US
Geralyn McConnell
Feb 18, 2026
Ohio, US
“from Valentine’s Day carnation sale”
Cindy Aguglia
Feb 18, 2026
Pennsylvania, US
Karen and Mitch Haller
Feb 15, 2026
Pennsylvania, US
Billy Y
Feb 9, 2026
Pennsylvania, US
Douglas DeGroot
Feb 7, 2026
New York, US
“Tim, prayers for Isabella, and you both.”
David Nelson
Feb 5, 2026
South Carolina, US
“Sending prayers for Izzy and your family.”
Zahra Hudda
Feb 2, 2026
Ohio, US
“We are praying for you. You are a special, brave and courageous little girl. You are a Super Hero!!”
Alan Heasley
Feb 2, 2026
Pennsylvania, US
Sandra Savo
Feb 1, 2026
New York, US
“What a heartbreaking story and a beautiful family. So proud of all of you. Peace to you all.”
Jessica Brandt
Jan 29, 2026
Ohio, US
Crystal Rodriguez
Jan 29, 2026
New York, US
Gayle Landers
Jan 29, 2026
Ohio, US
“From Lisa & Roger Ward, with love!”
Anonymous
Jan 19, 2026
US
Terri Eiler
Jan 17, 2026
Pennsylvania, US
“Read your story in the Guardian and it broke my heart. love to Izzy and your family. I am praying for you.”
Francesca Hann
Jan 15, 2026
Washington, US
Anonymous
Jan 15, 2026
Ohio, US
David Markovitch
Jan 9, 2026
Ohio, US
Stephanie Sandrock
Jan 8, 2026
Ohio, US
Anonymous
Jan 8, 2026
Ohio, US
“Prayers for Izzy”
Donna Bingman
Jan 7, 2026
New York, US
“for Izzy!”
Michael and Barbara Sikorski
Jan 7, 2026
Connecticut, US
Nancy Richner
Dec 30, 2025
New York, US
“My deepest well wishes for the journey ahead.”
Ethan Chan
Dec 28, 2025
New York, US
“We wish you all Happy Holiday! We have special gifts for Izzy at Park Ford of Mahopac, Please contact Danielle to arrange drop off or if you would like to come in”
Park Ford & Hudson Valley Hemp Employees
Dec 26, 2025
New York, US
Anonymous
Dec 23, 2025
New York, US
Ervin Mrishaj
Dec 23, 2025
Florida, US
Richard Hartman
Dec 22, 2025
New York, US
Joseph Locascio
Dec 18, 2025
Louisiana, US
Elaine&Brian Studdert
Dec 14, 2025
New York, US
Anonymous
Dec 12, 2025
New York, US
Keith McLaughlin
Dec 12, 2025
New York, US
Maria Studdert
Dec 11, 2025
New York, US
Anonymous
Dec 11, 2025
Virginia, US
Kristen Sofia
Dec 10, 2025
New York, US
Michelle Becker
Dec 10, 2025
Ohio, US
“God watch over her and protect her.”
Carla Busardo
Dec 10, 2025
New Jersey, US
Susan Mccormack
Dec 10, 2025
New York, US
Erin Lenehan
Dec 9, 2025
New York, US
Anonymous
Dec 9, 2025
Georgia, US
“Keeping Izzy in our prayers and hoping the best for your family.”
Sharon Stern
Dec 8, 2025
New York, US
Chrisy Siewert
Dec 8, 2025
Ohio, US
“I pray this little girl will be the miracle❤️”
Kathy Mocarski
Dec 7, 2025
Ohio, US
“Keeping you in my prayers.”
Angela Guzman
Dec 6, 2025
Ohio, US
“Praying for your family.”
Cindy Hamad
Dec 6, 2025
Ohio, US
Angela Cogan
Dec 6, 2025
Ohio, US
“i pray she gets in the clinical trial 🙏🏼”
Tracey Cugini
Dec 6, 2025
Ohio, US
Kristina Fausz
Dec 6, 2025
Ohio, US
Christine Meaney
Dec 6, 2025
New York, US
“Heartbreaking”
Trish Hindley
Dec 6, 2025
ENG, GB
Nicole DiMeglio
Dec 6, 2025
New York, US
Vanessa Jimenez
Dec 5, 2025
California, US
Joseph Toia
Dec 5, 2025
Pennsylvania, US
“Strength and comfort to Izzy and her parents/family. You are all amazing people. Wishing you all the best, now amd always.”
Brett Roberts
Dec 5, 2025
New York, US
Eric Howard
Dec 5, 2025
New York, US
The Yard Foundation: America's #1 Charity for Firefighters and their Families
Dec 5, 2025
Illinois, US
Michelle Evangelista
Dec 5, 2025
New York, US
Anonymous
Dec 5, 2025
Maryland, US
“In honor of our Granddaughter Monroe. we need a cure for this horrible disease!💔🧡”
Jeri Smith
Dec 5, 2025
Ohio, US
Cari Utrup
Dec 5, 2025
Ohio, US
“prayers for your beautiful little girl….🙏🏻”
Cheryl Marks
Dec 5, 2025
Ohio, US
Anonymous
Dec 5, 2025
Virginia, US
“praying so hard for a miracle for this little doll”
Amy Cantor
Dec 5, 2025
Ohio, US
Andrea Crosby
Dec 5, 2025
New York, US
Anonymous
Dec 4, 2025
Arizona, US
Marisa Madori
Dec 4, 2025
New York, US
Christine Asaro
Dec 4, 2025
New York, US
Ashley Demello
Dec 4, 2025
Connecticut, US
Jennifer Coliadis
Dec 4, 2025
Ohio, US
Nikki Costa
Dec 4, 2025
New York, US
“From Pam and Pat May”
Pamela May
Dec 4, 2025
Ohio, US
Anonymous
Dec 4, 2025
Ohio, US
Adrienne Catedral
Dec 4, 2025
New York, US
Margaret Kroll
Dec 4, 2025
New York, US
“For Izzy xo - emcphotography”
Erica Collegio
Dec 4, 2025
New Jersey, US
Mary Troy
Dec 4, 2025
New York, US
Sarah Fama
Dec 4, 2025
New York, US
Anonymous
Dec 4, 2025
New York, US
“Praying”
Paula Langston
Dec 4, 2025
Oklahoma, US
Anonymous
Dec 4, 2025
New York, US
$13,268.00
$1,000,000.00
Powered by Givecloud.
