Meet the Kids
Read the stories of these brave children who are battling or have battled DIPG.
Talin Ash Hawkins was born in Australia, at home, delivered by me while watched on by a midwife as his mother did all the important work, on 14th June 2006. I was there to see his first breath into this World of Blue Pearl.
Little did I know that he would develop an insidious deadly brain tumour called DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma). Little did I know that this happy and healthy boy would be diagnosed on the 11th of April 2012. Little did I know that Talin would leave my life and die in my arms, just 13 weeks later while I watched his last breath. Little did I know that my life would be destroyed by a little researched brain tumour that continues to take our children to this very day. Little did I know of the suffering that these children go through before they die in the weeks, months and short years they may have. Little did I know that DIPG effects children from the ages of 2.5 – 26 years, with the average being around 5-8 years old. Little did I know that the medical community have no real treatment, let alone a cure for these children. Little did I know that DIPG means the children lose all the basic abilities of life, movement, speech, swallowing, breathing and so much more. Little did I know, that DIPG can affect one identical twin and not another, cross socioeconomic boundaries and countries. Little did I know, that there was no real funding for DIPG Research because the governments of the day think that it is Rare.
Little did I know that the Dreams I had for my children would be taken away by the effects of DIPG as it destroys everything in its wake.
I Do Know that with Your Help we can Beat DIPG.
Please… Help…
Our Children Need You…
Gerry Tye (Talin’s Dad)