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The Brooke Healey Foundation is a 501c3 organization. Your donations can be tax deductible. Donations can be made as a one time donation, in monthly, quarterly and annual intervals. Your donations go directly to families fighting pediatric cancer and to fund targeted research.
Experts believe that in order to truly cure cancer you have to focus on those cancers that are the “biggest bullies” like DIPG. That’s why they also believe finding a cure for DIPG could lead to a homerun cure for all cancers.
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WHERE THE MONEY GOES
DIPG is considered the worst type of tumor in the worst possible location. The tumor resides in the Pons sack located at the top of the brain stem. The Pons is responsible for all vital functions and any attempt to operate and remove the tumor has been 100% fatal. Radiation can potentially help shrink the tumor temporarily, but will not stop it from growing.
The Healey family was forced to seek alternative approaches to fight this battle on behalf of Brooke and did incur lofty medical expenses along the way. Since there is no clinically tested method of treating this tumor, other than the short term effects of radiation, insurance will not cover most of the costs of any treatments beyond radiation therapy.
In an attempt to find an answer for their daughter, the family explored clinical trials and considered going outside the United States. In both scenarios, travel and medical expenses were estimated to be upwards of $200,000.
84% of families dealing with pediatric cancer experience financial hardship.
Aside from medical expenses that are frequently not covered by insurance, oftentimes one or both parents have to stop working to care for their sick child. In many cases, household bills are deprioritized in favor of medical needs.
We may also provide fun family experiences as a respite and other things that make life just a little bit easier.
Read more about the families we have helped.
