NEWS ABOUT THE CURE

Sparkles, Smiles, and Support

The Cure Starts Now Shines Bright for Childhood Brain Cancer Research CINCINNATI, OH | April 15 — On a night full of glitter, glam, and game show excitement, the Cincinnati community once again proved just how powerful it can be when united for a cause. The 18th annual Once in a Lifetime Gala, presented by Graeter’s, brought over 900 people together in dazzling style to support one mission: ending childhood brain cancer. More than just an auction and fundraiser, the event brought together suppor

Australian Children's Brain Cancer Conference: Advancing Research and Treatment

The Australian Children's Brain Cancer Conference is a pivotal annual event developed by the Children’s Brain Cancer Centre, the Children’s Hospital Foundation, and The Cure Starts Now Australia that is dedicated to advancing research, treatment, and support for children affected by brain cancer. Held in March, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia, this conference brought together leading scientists, medical professionals, and advocacy groups to collaborate on innovative solutions to improve survival rat

Kids Taking Action in the Fight for a Cure

We know that childhood cancer is more common than most people realize. Nearly two children per school will be diagnosed with cancer before they graduate. Every day, 47 families hear the words no parent ever wants to hear: "Your child has cancer." And for 1 in 4 of those children, the battle will be with brain cancer, the deadliest form of childhood cancer. But here’s the thing—no one fights alone. Leading the charge in the fight for a cure are the elementary school kids who watch their friends b

Temporary Pause on Federal Grant Funding: The Urgent Need for Your Support is Clear

In the face of growing uncertainty, we find ourselves in a critical moment where your help is needed more than ever. Groundbreaking cancer research—the kind that holds the potential to save lives—is at risk of being underfunded this year by federal sources, and the children who need it most are already waiting for hope. This is why private funding of research, like that done by The Cure Starts Now, is vital. Built by a community of families, we have witnessed children fight brain cancer with lit

Bringing Us Closer to a Cure

Thanks to your incredible support, The Cure Starts Now and the DIPG/DMG Collaborative have funded 17 grants during the 2024 grant cycle! That's 17 opportunities to make groundbreaking strides toward curing cancer. When we fund research, we’re not just fulfilling the dreams of our families and warriors who wish for a cure—we’re also supporting the researchers who dedicate their lives to turning those dreams into reality. We often tell our researchers that we have the easy job of raising the money

Family Never Fights Alone

When Cara’s three-year-old son, Cameron, was diagnosed with ependymoma, her world was turned upside down. Like any mother, she was determined to do everything in her power to help her child. Cara immersed herself in research, connecting with others in online brain cancer support groups to learn as much as possible about her son’s condition. It was in one of these support groups that Cara met Lauren, a mother facing a similar battle. Lauren’s five-year-old daughter, Cana, had just experienced a r

Little Girls, Big Miracles

Clare (8) and Mackenzie (9) are DIPG Warriors defying the odds as they reached 6-years post-diagnosis! Clare, Ohio, age 8 Marking the 6th anniversary of diagnosis day was bittersweet for the Ronnebaum family. "We are so very lucky," wrote Clare's Mom. 6 years ago, her parents were told Clare would only have 8-11 months to live. As they celebrate her continued stable scans, they are also reminded of all the children facing DIPG who don't get to celebrate this milestone. At the time of her dia

Wyatt's Victory Garden: Cultivating Hope in the Face of Childhood Cancer

In the heart of a small town, nestled amidst fields and farms, there resides a special little boy named Wyatt Reber. At just three years old, Wyatt was diagnosed with ependymoma, a rare form of brain cancer. As the cherished first child of Alexa and Matt Reber, he possesses a gentle soul that radiates kindness. Though initially shy around new faces, his warmth and innocence captivate all who have the privilege of meeting him. With a protective nature towards his little sister, Wyatt embodies the

Hope Rising: Funding Progress in DIPG Research

In their tireless pursuit of effective treatments for pediatric brain cancers, Dr. Biplap Dasgupta and his team at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center stumbled upon an unexpected existing compound that exhibited promising results in targeting specific mutations within DIPG models. The potential of this compound to halt tumor growth would make a significant stride forward in the battle against this aggressive form of brain cancer. What sets this discovery apart is its potential to exped

Promising Pathway Act (PPA) Family Stories

The Promising Pathway Act (PPA), introduced by Senators Mike Braun, Kirsten Gillibrand, Lisa Murkowski, Kevin Cramer and Roger Wicker in June of 2023 is a revolutionary bill changing how current FDA guidelines are applied with terminal and rare diseases like DIPG, DMG and Medulloblastoma. It’s key provisions not only provide a method to allow promising therapies to move faster for the patient with a conditional approval process, but also affirms that any provisional approval is backed with a thi