Joyce, Colleagues Introduce Resolution to Promote DIPG Awareness

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14), Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06), and Congressman Michael McCaul (TX-10) introduced a resolution designating May 17 as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) Awareness Day. DIPG is a rare and deadly form of pediatric cancer, with an average life expectancy after diagnosis of one year. This resolution promotes expanded research and care for the disease, which affects 300 children a year.

“Every child deserves to live a happy and healthy life, but unfortunately, those diagnosed with DIPG have to deal with an incredibly difficult and uncertain future,” said Congressman Joyce. “The children and families dealing with this terrible disease merit support from all levels, including Congress. I want to thank Representatives Dingell and McCaul for their unwavering support and commitment to fighting this cancer and working towards a cure.”

“It is impossible to express the heartbreak and devastation a family faces when their child receives a cancer diagnosis. Every cancer battle is grueling, but for a child with a whole life ahead of them, it is a uniquely devastating journey,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “DIPG remains one of the deadliest pediatric brain tumor diagnoses, and its low survival rates make clear we must do more. We must work together to continue the fight against childhood cancer by driving awareness, supporting research endeavors, and pursuing the treatments these children deserve. No family should ever face this fight alone, and together, we can make sure they never do.”

“With a heartbreaking survival rate of less than one percent, DIPG is considered the most lethal form of childhood cancer. We must do everything in our power to change that and give these children the futures they deserve,” said Congressman McCaul. “As founder of the Childhood Cancer Caucus, I’m proud to join Reps. Dingell and Joyce in raising awareness of DIPG as we work toward a cure. For the precious young lives diagnosed with this disease, there’s no time to waste.”

Background:

Every year, nearly 16,000 children across the country are diagnosed with cancer. Of those, approximately 300 are diagnosed with DIPG. The average life expectancy after receiving a DIPG diagnosis is less than one year. Despite the fact that DIPG is the second most common pediatric brain tumor, research into treatments and cures is sorely lacking. This resolution calls for expanded research on possible treatments, encourages entities to factor in the mortality rate and number of life years lost when considering awarding research grants, and, if passed, would support designating May 17 as National DIPG Awareness Day.

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