U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), David Joyce (R-OH-14), and Michael McCaul (R-TX-10), introduced a resolution honoring May 17 as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) Awareness Day to support expanded research for treatments and care for DIPG, a deadly form of pediatric cancer. DIPG is the leading cause of childhood death due to brain tumors; less than one percent of its victims live more than five years after diagnosis.
“It is impossible to express the heartbreak and devastation a family faces when their child receives a cancer diagnosis. Every cancer battle is grueling, but for a child with a whole life ahead of them, it is a uniquely devastating journey,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “DIPG remains one of the deadliest pediatric brain tumor diagnoses, and its low survival rates make clear we must do more. We must work together to continue the fight against childhood cancer by driving awareness, supporting research endeavours, and pursuing the treatments these children deserve. No family should ever face this fight alone, and together, we can make sure they never do.”
"Every child deserves to live a happy and healthy life, but unfortunately, those diagnosed with DIPG have to deal with an incredibly difficult and uncertain future," said Congressman Joyce. "The children and families dealing with this terrible disease merit support from all levels, including Congress. I want to thank Representatives Dingell and McCaul for their unwavering support and commitment to fighting this cancer and working towards a cure."
"With a heartbreaking survival rate of less than one percent, DIPG is considered the most lethal form of childhood cancer. We must do everything in our power to change that and give these children the futures they deserve. As founder of the Childhood Cancer Caucus, I'm proud to join Reps. Dingell and Joyce in raising awareness of DIPG as we work toward a cure. For the precious young lives diagnosed with this disease, there’s no time to waste," said Congressman McCaul.
"It’s a challenge to adequately express my gratitude for Representative Dingell's steadfast commitment to raise awareness of the urgent, unmet medical needs of children with DIPG with the DIPG Awareness Resolution. Most people don’t know that brain cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death in children in our country, and that for decades nothing has significantly changed in DIPG’s terminal diagnosis. Representatives Dingell, Joyce, and McCaul all merit our gratitude for ensuring that this voiceless community of suffering is recognized, and that outcomes for children with DIPG are improved," said Janet Demeter, President of Jack's Angels.
This resolution raises awareness and supports efforts by the Carr family, who launched the Chad Tough Foundation in 2015 in honor of five-year-old Chad Carr of Ann Arbor, who lost his battle with DIPG in 2015; Jack's Angels Foundation that was launched in honor of three-year-old Jack Demeter who lost his battle with DIPG in 2012; and every family impacted by DIPG.
View the full text of the resolution HERE.
