Sarah, Canada
On February 18th, 2022 our son, Gordie White was diagnosed at 3.5 years old with an inoperable brain tumor called DIPG (Diffuse Midline Pontine Glioma) . My husband and I were given the devasting news that there is NO cure for DIPG and we were to prepare ourselves and our families that we had 9 - 11 months left with our precious son. Our world came crashing down that day as how does a parent and your family prepare to say good bye to their little boy?
We were told time and time again by doctors that there simply was not enough money for research to find a cure that will save our little boy. My husband and I refused to believe that there was not a glimmer of hope to save our son, so we began our quest to research about other DIPG Children that have participated in trial drugs, medicinal cannibas or trial therapies that saw results in stopping the growth of the tumor that is located in the brain pons.
For children such as Gordie to stand a 'fighting chance' against DIPG, funding needs to be increased and the government must remove all barriers for any person impacted by Cancer the opportunity to have access to all forms of treatment available world wide. Borders need to be removed from patients accessing and using any drug, trial drug and forms of medicinal cannibas. All Cancer patients must be allowed to travel without restriction around the world and never be denied access to any country due to the drugs they take to manage their treatment, pain and hopeful path to eradicating the monster of 'cancer' that lives within them. No parent or family should ever be forced to hear the words 'there is no cure and you must prepare yourself for the death of your loved one'.
Because of our refusal to give up, the support of our medical team and organizations 'pushing to find a cure' we are thrilled to be able to say that our son continues to defy the odds and is thriving as a happy, loving soon to be turning 7 years old little boy this June. But we cannot do it alone, we and all families across the world need better access to ALL options to beat this disease.