Our Purpose
Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is a rare, aggressive childhood brain tumor that develops in the brainstem — the part of the brain responsible for vital functions like breathing, movement, and speech. Each year, only a few hundred children in the United States are diagnosed, but the impact is profound and life-changing. Because of its location, DIPG cannot be removed surgically, and current treatments provide only temporary relief.
Most people have never heard of DIPG until it touches their family. That is why this site exists. Our goal is simple: to bring awareness to DIPG, to share McKinli’s journey, and to create a space where families, friends, and communities can come together in support and action. Awareness matters. It sparks earlier recognition of symptoms, fuels research, and builds networks of care for families walking this difficult road.
When a disease is rare, it is often invisible. Families facing DIPG not only deal with a devastating diagnosis, but they often discover how little is known, how few treatment options exist, and how isolated they can feel. By sharing information widely, we hope to:
Why Awareness Matters
Educate parents on the warning signs and symptoms that may point to DIPG.
Encourage families to advocate for answers and specialized care when something feels “off.”
Build public understanding that can lead to more research, clinical trials, and—one day—a cure.
Create a supportive network where no family feels alone in this fight.
Every voice raised, every story shared, and every event attended strengthens the impact. Even small acts—like telling a friend about DIPG or sending a card to a child—can help families feel seen and supported.
Connect With Us
Contact Us
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McKinli’s Journey
This site is also deeply personal. In April, five-year-old McKinli began experiencing symptoms that seemed small at first—nausea, headaches, and subtle changes in behavior. Multiple doctor visits gave no clear answers, until scans finally revealed what no parent ever wants to hear: DIPG.
Since her diagnosis, McKinli has undergone surgery and radiation, bravely returned to school, and continues her fight surrounded by her family, friends, and community. Her journey is one of courage, resilience, and hope. By sharing her story, we shine a light not just on one child’s experience, but on the broader need for awareness and action against DIPG.
Phone
Location
Sulphur, LA
70663
Hours
- Mon - Sun
- Open 24 Hours
How You Can Help
This website is designed to inform, inspire, and involve. Here you will find:
- Education
about DIPG and what parents need to know.
- Stories that give families a voice and a place to be heard.
- Events that bring our community together in support.
- Resources to connect families with organizations making a difference.
- Ways to Give, from donations to simple acts of encouragement.
Your presence here matters. Whether you choose to learn, share, attend, or donate, you are helping us spread awareness and stand with families in the fight against DIPG. Together, we can give hope, strength, and visibility to a battle that should never be fought in silence.
