Prayers From Maria Foundation

I wanted to share with you a video that was recently brought to my attention.



It was put together by the Prayers From Maria Foundation, I have asked and received permission from Maria's dad Ed to share this video with the DIPG community. I ask you to please take a few minutes and watch the video and see exactly what diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) does to these children and their families. It is hard for me because one of the doctors in the video, Dr. Mark Kieran of Dana-Farber was my son Matthew's doctor. I don't have to imagine how these parents are feeling, I know how they are feeling, everything they say, we experienced.

Prayers From Maria is named after Maria McNamara...from the PFM site...

"On April 1, 2006 life ceased to exist the way my family knew it. My oldest child and only daughter, Maria, was diagnosed with a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). DIPG is an inoperable incurable brain tumor that strikes children usually between the ages of 5 and 11. A child with this diagnosis is given a 10 to 12 month life expectancy.

With the devastating diagnosis of our Maria came a great deal of sorrow and pain as well as desperation. My husband, Ed, and I frantically searched medical journals, books, articles and the Internet for anything—any sign of hope that we could cling to that might possibly save our daughter’s life. Instead, we were surprised to find very little research and few experimental trials. That which we did find was difficult to decipher from a layman’s perspective and, of course, each case study ended in the death of a child."


Prayers from Maria is a truly wonderful foundation, Ed told me that a new web site will be out in the next few days. Prayers From Maria is listed in the Foundation section, I will update with the new site once it is available.

Thank you Ed & Megan, from the bottom of my heart for all you do to help raise awareness and fund research for DIPG, please know I appreciate all you do for the DIPG (all childhood cancer) community. I will never forget Maria and her journey. May God comfort you each day.

God Bless.

Rich ~Angel Matthew's Dad~
DIPG Parent

Lifted Up - Ian Henderson

I have started this blog with only one purpose, that is to honor all of our children who are battling or have battled a DIPG (or other types of PBT). This blog isn't about me, or any one foundation, it is about our brave heroes...the kids.

Today it is with a heavy heart that I post the another wonderfully brave child has earned their wings (or as I prefer, "Lifted Up"). Please stop by and visit Ian Henderson's CB site and say a few prayers of comfort for Ian's family. I know what they are going through. I know the pain of losing a child to DIPG, I lost my 8 year old son Matthew on St. Patrick's Day, 2007. I have made it my mission to help other families in any way I can during their child's battle against this "monster".



This is from Ian's CB site (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ianhenderson) today (2/19)....

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16

Someone asked recently, “What does mercy mean to you?”

Our answer, “no pain, no fear and deep peace for our son as his journey through this world ends and he enters into wholeness and the waiting arms of Jesus in the world beyond.”

God’s mercy fell freshly this morning as just after midnight He welcomed our dear son Home to glory in such a peaceful way with no pain and no fear – Ian is whole again – Ian is well.

Our empty arms ache…but our hearts rejoice and have confidence that Ian is safely Home with our loving Lord this morning.

We will be making arrangements today and will post again when we know more about when services will be.

We deeply thank you for your ongoing prayers and love for us.


Thanks and God Bless.

Rich ~Angel Matthew' s Dad~
DIPG Parent