Summer 2024
By Kayla Carcone
A recent $600,000 ChadTough Defeat DIPG Game Changer Grant to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute aims to expand treatment options for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). This funding awarded to Robbie Majzner, MD, demonstrates dedication to advancing innovative research endeavors and Majzner’s pioneering work.
Majzner’s studies build upon his extensive experience treating children with cancer using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, a powerful immunotherapeutic approach. Through the foundation’s grant, he aims to test and validate a new type of CAR T cell that may be deployed to treat DIPGs with increased durability and effectiveness against these tumors, thereby offering a more potent clinical pathway.
“As parents who have experienced the devastating impact of DIPG firsthand, we are committed to supporting research that offers hope to families facing similar challenges.”
Jason Carr, ChadTough Defeat DIPG
ChadTough Defeat DIPG’s commitment to funding innovative research began with Chad Carr and Michael Mosier, the inspirations behind the organization. Chad and Michael’s courageous journeys with this devastating disease sparked a movement to accelerate research efforts and improve outcomes for other children diagnosed with DIPG. Today, Mazjner and his colleagues are focused on better understanding these tumors while elevating care standards for pediatric patients.
“As parents who have experienced the devastating impact of DIPG firsthand, we are committed to supporting research that offers hope to families facing similar challenges,” said Jason Carr, Co-Founder of ChadTough Defeat DIPG and Chad Carr’s father. “This investment in Dr. Majzner’s research represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to defeat DIPG and honor of the memories of Chad and Michael.”
ChadTough Defeat DIPG’s investment stands as a testament to its unwavering commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and translating research into tangible solutions—forging a better path for patients with DIPG in Boston and around the world.