The National Cancer Institute -
the leading organization in funding cancer research -
currently gives
96% of funding to adult research,
and merely 4% to childhood research.
ENOUGH
4 % IS NOT
Consider the following:
- Lung cancer has a survival rate of 80% if caught in the early stages to less than 5% if caught in late stages.
- Breast cancer has typically an 80-90% survival rate.
- Leukemia has a 48% survival rate.
- Less than 10% of DIPG children will live longer than 18 months from diagnosis.
- The survival rate for DIPG is 0%
Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, commonly referred to as pontine glioma, infiltrative brainstem glioma, or DIPG, is a rare tumor of the brainstem that occurs almost exclusively in children. A pontine glioma occurs in a most delicate area of the brainstem (the "pons"), which controls many critical functions, including breathing and blood pressure. Its location, as well as the way it infiltrates nearby brain tissue, makes it especially difficult to treat.
About
DIPG
DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma) is a disease which strikes at the heart of childhood and it is a disease in desperate need of a cure.
Tough Like Jack Foundation
The location and nature of these tumors lead to a loss of motor skills, paralysis,
loss of swallowing and the inability to see or speak.
However, these children remain fully aware.
DIPG has NO cure
DIPG is one of the most resistant types of cancer
The name says it all:
"Diffuse" -- it is spread among the nerves and tissues of the brain stem.
"Intrinsic" -- it is wrapped amongst them, making surgery or accurate and selective radiation virtually impossible.
"Pontine" -- it is located in the pons (middle) of the brain stem.
"Glioma" -- the tumor arises from the glia, the tissues that support the neurons (the thinking cells).