NEWS ABOUT THE CURE

With Government Spending in Flux, Groundbreaking Cancer Research Is at Risk of Being Underfunded

Donations to Cancer Research Nonprofits May Have to Take up the Slack As federal grants and funding for childhood cancer research face new challenges this year, researchers are scrambling to find alternative ways to continue their work. Because governmental spending is in a state of flux, privately funded grants are more important than ever. Local nonprofit The Cure Starts Now Foundation already has received $20.2 million in funding requests from researchers this year, nearly 80% of the total am

A New Way to “Switch Off” DMG: How Dr. Tsai Is Targeting FOXR2

This article originally appeared on DIPG.org Diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) are among the most aggressive pediatric brain tumors—and they’re notoriously difficult to treat. But thanks to new research led by Dr. Jessica Tsai at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, scientists are exploring a way to “switch off” the cancer itself—right at the source. What’s Being Targeted? FOXR2 At the heart of this breakthrough is a gene called FOXR2. This gene normally stays off in healthy brain tissue—but in DM

A Heart Bigger Than His Years: Oscar's Gift to Kids Fighting Brain Cancer

This year, Caps for the Cure week was destined to be something special across the Wyoming, Ohio school district. With schools buzzing with creative activities and teachers leading meaningful discussions about childhood cancer, a powerful message began to emerge: kids have the power to help other kids. Through something as simple as wearing a cap or coloring in a hat, students were learning that they could make a real difference in the lives of children battling brain cancer. Among the hundreds o

Breaking Barriers: A New Strategy to Boost Brain Cancer Treatment in Children

In 2023 Dr. Eric Thompson of Chicago Medical Center and Washington University proposed an innovative study focused on two compounds and how they might better cross the blood-brain-barrier for Medulloblastoma. This project was approved for funding by The Cure Starts Now and here are the results: Treating brain cancer in children remains one of the biggest challenges in modern medicine. One major roadblock? The brain itself. It has a powerful defense system known as the blood-brain barrie

Team Brock Junior Committee: A Youth-Led Mission to Cure Cancer

Brock was just seven years old when he was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), an aggressive and inoperable brain tumor. During his seven-month journey, those closest to him, his older sister Jenna, his childhood friends, and his community, watched helplessly as the disease slowly stole his ability to walk, talk, and laugh the way he once did. When Brock earned his angel wings, he left behind heartbreak and a spark that would grow into something remarkable. Eight years later,

18 Bold Ideas, One Shared Hope

In the quest to cure cancer, we know that hope alone isn't enough; it is action that moves us forward. It’s families, researchers, and supporters coming together to take bold steps toward curing brain cancer. Because government funding is so uncertain, we are not leaving our children’s futures to chance. No matter what, we are continuing to lead where others hesitate. This year, that leadership takes a powerful form: 18 groundbreaking grant proposals submitted to our Big Fat Grant (BFG) program,

From Diagnosis to Determination

In 2023, two Cincinnati families were thrust into an unimaginable reality that no parent should ever have to face. Their sons, just toddlers at the time, were both diagnosed with the same rare and aggressive brain cancer: Ependymoma. In the midst of their personal battles, these families became more than caregivers. They became advocates, warriors, and a united force in the fight for a cure. Wyatt Reber was just 3½ years old when his family began noticing symptoms that seemed mild at first. A fe

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