The Cure Starts Now

11/04/2026

10 YEARS. A DECADE OF DEFYING THE ODDS! 💛

When Myles was just 5 weeks old, he was diagnosed with DIPG, an aggressive form of pediatric brain cancer. His family was told he had anywhere from two weeks to one year to live.

Today, Myles is celebrating 10 YEARS since his diagnosis, and his tumor remains STABLE! 🎉

Ten years of birthdays, memories, milestones, and moments his family once feared they might never get to experience.

Myles' journey is an extraordinary milestone in the fight against DIPG. While so many families are still waiting for breakthroughs, his story reminds us why we continue fighting for better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.

Help us celebrate Myles and this incredible 10-year milestone! Leave him some love in the comments! 💛🎗️

11/03/2026

Could a medication commonly used to treat thyroid conditions also help fight pediatric brain cancer?

With support from The Cure Starts Now, Dr. Rebecca Ronsley of Seattle Children's and Dr. Lindsay Kilburn of Children's National are helping lead PNOC044, a new clinical trial for children and young adults with recurrent medulloblastoma.

The study is exploring whether thyroid hormone, when combined with other treatments, could help slow cancer growth. Researchers are also looking at ways to detect cancer recurrence earlier, potentially before it becomes visible on an MRI.

There's still much to learn, but it's encouraging to see new treatment approaches making their way into clinical trials.

Thanks to our supporters your donations help make milestones like this possible. Because every step forward in research brings us closer to a future where more children have the chance to reach milestones of their own. 💛

🔗 Learn more:

Could Thyroid Hormone Help Treat Medulloblastoma? New Study Explores a Different Approach to Recurrence Rachel Chon | October 20, 2026 Dr. Rebecca Ronsley (left) of Seattle Children's Hospital and Dr. Lindsay Kilburn (right) of Children's National Hospital are collaborating on PNOC044, a clinical tr...

11/02/2026

Please join us in welcoming Charlotte to The Cure Starts Now family! 💗

Charlotte is a sweet little girl who loves drawing, gardening, and all things pink! She's a big fan of Paw Patrol, Disney Princesses (especially Belle!), and Toy Story, with Bo Peep holding a special place in her heart.

One of the most special parts of Charlotte's world is her twin sister, Coraline. The sisters share a unique connection, right down to their names, inspired by the beloved books Charlotte's Web and Coraline.

We're so happy to welcome Charlotte and her family into our community. Please join us in showing them some love as we continue our fight for better treatments and a cure for pediatric brain cancer. 💗

11/02/2026

12 Years Later, Lauren Hill's Legacy Lives On. 🏀💙

On November 2, 2014, Lauren Hill stepped onto the basketball court for Mount St. Joseph University, fulfilling her dream of playing collegiate basketball while battling DIPG, an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer.

That day, wearing her #22 jersey, Lauren scored both the first and final baskets of the game, helping lead her team to a 66–55 victory over Hiram College. But what happened on that court reached far beyond basketball.

Lauren had been diagnosed with DIPG in 2013, but she was determined to use her story to bring attention to the disease and raise money for research. Her efforts inspired people across the country and helped raise millions of dollars toward finding a cure.

Although Lauren passed away in April 2015, her impact continues through The Cure Starts Now's SE Indiana (Lauren Hill) Chapter and events like the Game of Hope and Lauren Hill Tipoff Classic.

Twelve years later, we're still cheering for #22 and fighting for the cure Lauren wanted for every child facing DIPG.

Lauren, your legacy will always be bigger than the game of basketball. 💙🏀

Mount Saint Joseph University
NCAA
Hiram College
#22

10/30/2026

What an incredible day at Ali's 5K & Fun Run! 💛🏃‍♀️

Together, the community raised an amazing $20,625.33 in honor of Alison Verhaalen, supporting childhood brain cancer research through The Cure Starts Now!

Every step helped carry forward Ali's legacy of joy, courage, and a contagious smile that could light up any room.

A huge thank you to everyone who ran, walked, donated, and supported our Wisconsin (Awesome Ali Shines On) Chapter. Your generosity is helping us move one step closer to the Homerun Cure™! 💛

10/29/2026

One in four childhood cancers is a brain cancer.

That's 25% of all childhood cancers. And yet, for far too many of these kids, treatment options are still painfully limited.

A number that big should come with serious attention, serious funding, and a commitment to finding the cure.

That's what we're fighting for at The Cure Starts Now. Families, friends, and neighbors coming together to fund the research these kids need.

Childhood brain cancer research deserves more support. And we're going to keep pushing until it gets it. 💛

10/29/2026

The future of pediatric brain cancer research depends on scientific breakthroughs AND regulatory pathways that can keep pace with innovation.

Yesterday, Rachel Chon, our Research Strategy Manager here at The Cure Starts Now, attended the FDA’s Rare Disease Framework meeting, where the agency discussed developing a new regulatory framework to guide drug development over the next 10–15 years.

The FDA emphasized its commitment to listening to the rare disease community and exploring innovative approaches that could help promising treatments reach patients.

This is an opportunity for the pediatric brain cancer community to have a voice in shaping the future of drug development. Researchers, advocates, clinicians, and families can help identify challenges and propose solutions that support progress.

The Cure Starts Now will continue participating in these important conversations, advocating for the needs of children and families affected by pediatric brain cancer.

The FDA is listening. Now is the time for our community to come together and help shape a future that gives promising science a clearer path to patients. 💛

10/28/2026

Please join us in welcoming Ayven and his family to The Cure Starts Now community. 💛

Ayven was a 6-year-old boy with a big personality, an adventurous spirit, and a love for dancing wherever he went! Whether he was hiking, visiting the zoo, exploring a theme park, or stopping by one of his favorite coffee shops, Ayven knew how to make every outing an adventure.

He loved collecting Pokémon, hunting for rocks, building with Magna-Tiles, and adding new plushies to his collection. From Mario Bros. and dinosaurs to Harry Potter and animals, his interests were always growing, and there was never a dull moment with Ayven around.

In May 2025, just before his preschool graduation and his big brother's high school graduation, Ayven was diagnosed with DIPG. He underwent radiation and participated in a clinical trial before sadly passing away on March 5, 2026.

Ayven's love for life, his endless curiosity, and his dancing spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. His family continues to carry his memory forward, living each day in his honor.

Today, we welcome Ayven's family into our community as we remember the incredible little boy who brought so much joy to those around him. We will continue fighting for a cure so that children like Ayven have the chance to grow up and experience all the adventures life has to offer. 💛

10/28/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Haydar of Children's National Hospital on her $1 million Big Fat Grant Award for developing an innovative approach to revolutionize CAR-T therapy with focused ultrasound to control when and where cancer-fighting immune cells become active. Watch her grant presentation live here https://loom.ly/fFA0xYQ

$1 Million Grant Revolutionizes CAR T-Cell Research with Funding fr...

10/27/2026

🎨 Have you ever wondered what a brain tumor looks like through the eyes of a child?

We asked our warriors to show us what their tumors look like to them, and their creativity has been incredible!

From colorful characters to imaginative creatures, each drawing tells a different story. Some even have names of their own!

Take a look at what our warriors created and read the stories behind their artwork. 💛

🎨 Meet the artists and their creations:

Maren (In Honor of Maisie) – "Glob, Glop, Gob and Blob"
"It is an ugly and terrible monster"

Sadie – "Buttface Buttwad “BB” McGee"
"BB McGee is a wily devil with red horns, a tail, and jagged yellow vampire teeth!"

Stella – "No Name"
"My 9 tumors are mad and squishy in different sizes"

Jaxon – "No Name"
"Gooey vampire with sharp teeth."

Raelyn – "Boo-boo"
“My brain is the strongest to fight my tumor.”

Now it's your turn! We want to see even more creativity from our warriors! Whether your tumor is silly, scary, colorful, or something completely unique, there's no right or wrong way to draw it.

Get the activity link here: https://loom.ly/ccaI61g