Rep. Steve Knight (CA-25) and Rep. Jackie Speier (CA-14) have reintroduced a bipartisan resolution that would raise awareness and support research for a form of pediatric cancer called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma or DIPG. The idea was to renew an effort led last year with Agua Dulce resident Janet Demeter whose son, Jack, died of the disease in 2012. Demeter later founded Jack’s Angels which promotes funding for scientific research and raises public awareness of DIPG.
“Families of children with deadly cancers like DIPG are continually forced to accept that they must watch their child die a horrible death because their annual numbers don’t represent enough of an incentive for research,” Demeter said. “I’m extremely grateful to Rep. Knight and his staff for recognizing this tragedy and helping to bring it to the national stage.”
Knight’s bill, H.R. 69, would support expanded research for treatments and care for persons with DIPG. The resolution would also establish a national “DIPG Awareness Day” on May 17 to foster awareness of the disease which reportedly is responsible for most pediatric brain tumor deaths each year and also maintains one of the lowest survival rates.
“Nothing hurts more than knowing there’s nothing they can do to keep their children from suffering,” Knight said. “This resolution would help bring much-needed awareness to a tragic reality and could bring us one step closer to ending childhood cancer once and for all.”
