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As many of you know the daughter of one of my co-workers was diagnosed with DIPG a little over a year ago. A wonderful group of people has gotten together to promote awareness about DIPG and to raise funds for research by forming Carly's Crusaders. My family will be walking in the 1st Annual Carly's Crusaders Walk-a-thon on May 1st. If you can, please help me raise funds for this cause by contributing at http://www.active.com/donate/CarlysCrus ... llFinnerty
Thank you

Keep Fighting Carly

We are getting a good number of sponsors for the walk -http://carlyscrusaders.ning.com/.

If you would be interested in helping, please either join us for the walk or consider sponsoring my family (http://www.active.com/donate/CarlysCrus ... llFinnerty.

Thank you

Please forgive me but, just what is DIPG? I honestly do not know.

pair8head wrote:Please forgive me but, just what is DIPG? I honestly do not know.

Here's some information:

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)

A Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is a tumor located in the pons (middle) of the brain stem. The brain stem is the bottom most portion of the brain, connecting the cerebrum with the spinal cord. The majority of brain stem tumors occur in the pons (middle brain stem) and are diffusely infiltrating, (they grow amidst the nerves), and therefore are not able to be surgically removed. Glioma is a general name for any tumor that arises from the supportive tissue called glia, which help keep the neurons, ("thinking cells") in place and functioning well. The brain stem contains all of the "wires" converging from the brain to the spinal cord as well as important structures involved in eye movements, face and throat muscle control and sensation.

pair8head wrote:Please forgive me but, just what is DIPG? I honestly do not know.

Good point. I have been immersed in this for so long now that I forget that people don't know the acronym. Thanks for the assistance Linda. In short it is a brain tumor that is not not concentrated, more specifically:

From http://www.justonemoreday.org/gliomas/p ... lioma.html

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (D.I.P.G.)

At one time, all brainstem gliomas were thought to be one single entity.

As medicine evolved developing more sophisticated imaging with MRIs, it was found that brainstem gliomas were not all the same.

Tumors in the brainstem can be located in the cervicomedullary junction, the midbrain, the tectum or the pons.

Brainstem tumors can be further categorized as either diffuse intrinsic or nondiffuse. Non diffuse brainstem tumors may also be described as dorsal or exophytic.

In addition, advanced neurosurgical techniques have allowed some to enter this previously considered “inoperable” area. Although the vast majority of lesions appearing as diffuse pontine gliomas by MRI are high grade, it has been found that there may be other pathology (particularly low grade glioma).

The important point – when one is looking at information (other children’s websites, journal articles, etc) it is critical to realized what kind of tumor is being discussed.

Not all brainstem gliomas are created equal.

Brainstem gliomas at other locations may have different statistics.

Diffuse pontine gliomas have a bleaker prognosis than focal brainstem lesions.

BFinnsUp wrote:

pair8head wrote:Please forgive me but, just what is DIPG? I honestly do not know.

Good point. I have been immersed in this for so long now that I forget that people don't know the acronym. Thanks for the assistance Linda. In short it is a brain tumor that is not not concentrated, more specifically:

From http://www.justonemoreday.org/gliomas/p ... lioma.html

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (D.I.P.G.)

At one time, all brainstem gliomas were thought to be one single entity.

As medicine evolved developing more sophisticated imaging with MRIs, it was found that brainstem gliomas were not all the same.

Tumors in the brainstem can be located in the cervicomedullary junction, the midbrain, the tectum or the pons.

Brainstem tumors can be further categorized as either diffuse intrinsic or nondiffuse. Non diffuse brainstem tumors may also be described as dorsal or exophytic.

In addition, advanced neurosurgical techniques have allowed some to enter this previously considered “inoperable” area. Although the vast majority of lesions appearing as diffuse pontine gliomas by MRI are high grade, it has been found that there may be other pathology (particularly low grade glioma).

The important point – when one is looking at information (other children’s websites, journal articles, etc) it is critical to realized what kind of tumor is being discussed.

Not all brainstem gliomas are created equal.

Brainstem gliomas at other locations may have different statistics.

Diffuse pontine gliomas have a bleaker prognosis than focal brainstem lesions.

Kind of a miracle Carly is still here and fighting. This must be indescribably hard for her parents. Lots of prayers and good thoughts for Carly and her mom and dad!

Bumping this to the top in hopes of creating awareness.

We have been lucky to get a lot of great sponsors for the walk-a-thon, please check them out at http://carlyscrusaders.ning.com/

Also, if you have the means please help me raise funds for research for a cure to DIPG at http://www.active.com/donate/CarlysCrus ... llFinnerty. Thank you.

Ok, I am begging now. I am $55 away from my goal. If you can help, please donate at http://www.active.com/donate/CarlysCrus ... llFinnerty. Thank you.

The overall goal for the Carly's Crusaders walk-a-thon is to raise $15,000 towards research. Currently we are at $13,905. We are so close. If you can help, please consider donating at http://www.active.com/donate/CarlysCrus ... llFinnerty - Thank you.

The walk-a-thon raised over $47,500 towards research. Very cool event. Thanks to all that helped me with my small part.