Deception Bay residents Patrick and Linda Brennan are raising awareness about childhood brain cancer after the devastating loss of their 12-year-old daughter, Jade.
Jade passed away from Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPG) in August last year. An aggressive type of brain tumour, DIPG is the leading cause of brain cancer deaths in Australian children.
Patrick said Jade, a Boondall State School student, was diagnosed with DIPG in January 2023.
“We had no idea what this was but we were told the prognosis and like most other families in this DPIG-ing world are told the same thing – go home and make memories,” Patrick said.
“Jade was given 30 rounds of radiation, went on trial drugs and was exposed to many different drugs. Unfortunately, none of these helped the pain she had to endure.
“DIPG is a cruel, unforgiving cancer. Located in the centre of the brain, it is not operable and is attached to those cells that help us function in everyday life. DIPG takes away those functions and motor skills from our kids.”
Raising Awareness and Funds for DIPG Research
To honour Jade’s memory, the Brennans have been actively involved in supporting DIPG research and raising awareness. Last month, they hosted a charity golf day at Sandgate Golf Club. The event, Jade’s Eternal Spirit Golf Day, raised funds for RUN DIPG, a charity founded to improve outcomes for patients, families and communities impacted by DIPG.
The golf day saw support from local businesses and other families affected by the illness.
Reflecting on the first anniversary of their daughter’s passing, Patrick said that he and Linda were still wondering, ‘Why Jade?”
“Jade was a beautiful, smart, intelligent young girl who always included others,” he said. “She was outgoing and at 12, she was going to make a difference in this world. But she wasn’t given the chance to do what we do in our lives, such as finish school, have a boyfriend, get married and have her own children.
“DIPG took this away from her and we lost the chance to watch her grow and develop. We all lost our daughter, our sister, our grandchild. This has affected everyone in our life.”
Through their ongoing efforts, Patrick and Linda hope to honour Jade’s legacy and bring about a future where no other family has to face the devastating impact of DIPG.
You can help raised funds for RUN DIPG by donating here.
Learn more abou RUN DIPG here.
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