Abbie's Army

28/10/2026

28/10/2026

The spookiest day of the year is almost here! 🎃
If it happens to you, DIPG is such a scary reality with some of the direst statistics of all childhood cancers.
In the words of a parent who contacted us recently... 'You just swing from complete disbelief to absolute fear'
You do, and we understand this perfectly from lived experience, and why research advances are so crucial

Brain cancer and DIPG specifically, uniformly around the world causes more cancer death in children than ANY other cancer type.
These statistics are a frightening reminder of the dismal outcome that we must try to overturn through the support of potentially life-saving research.
If you can consider a month-end Halloween donation please help us at https://www.justgiving.com/charity/abbies-army

26/10/2026

We want to offer a warm welcome back to all Islastones Foundation supporters!
Yesterday Isla's parents made the announcement that whilst Isla's rock-painting group continues, the Foundation will be closing with all remaining funds transferred to Abbie's Army

We've worked closely with Isla's family in the past, the family have co-funded two projects with us, contributing £123,000 to our research efforts. It truly shows how collaboration enables support and can make a much wider impact.
In the coming weeks we can hopefully share plans for the disbursement of the fund to honour Isla's legacy, supporting other children affected by DIPG.

Anyone in the Hinckley area who still wishes to fundraise in Isla's memory please do get in touch, we will be happy to support you!...and a memorial page will soon be running to receive donations.

You can read more about Isla , the amazing little girl who inspired a movement, and over 56,000 people to her group.
They continue to paint and hide rocks with Isla in their hearts, spreading 'smiles' all over the world, and the message about DIPG and children's cancer. 💗
https://www.abbiesarmy.co.uk/post/isla-s-story

We continue to stand with Isla's family, Kat, Simon and Harrison and thank them for their trust.

20/10/2026

"...Families endure unimaginable heartbreak as they watch their children lose vital functions and abilities. Inspired by the courage and resilience of these young warriors, we are determined to raise awareness and funds for Abbie's Army through this challenge...."

At the end of this month the amazing Paul Butler and Jerry Street will embark on the adventure of a lifetime, and an extraordinary personal challenge to cycle 500 km from Vietnam to Cambodia.
In their own words this is 'against all odds and common sense for two individuals in their late sixties!' 😁

Starting from the vibrant Ho Chi Minh city, they will head north along the Mekong River, covering the full distance in five days. The adventure ends at the incredible Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap on November 12th. We already can't wait to share their pictures!

Together with gift-aid over £6100 has already been raised!!!... but lets not stop there, the guys have completely self-funded this trip which is incredible, as every penny raised will go directly to support crucial research into DIPG/DMG brain cancer.



DONATE to their pages below 👇

15/10/2026

Well done for taking this issue right to the centre of Government.
Lets hope the review, plan, and accountability in a new clinical national lead, bring the posiitve action needed...
This must be done with significantly greater urgency, the community has endured over a decade of losses since the initial petition and recommendations made back in 2016!

Read the full Department of Health and Social Care - DHSC release

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/brain-cancer-patients-to-see-faster-development-of-new-treatments

13/10/2026

In a week where focus is firmly on brain tumour research funding from Government, there is some positive news to share for UK patients!

The 'TarGeT' trials platform will be a much needed step forward in delivering more personalised, and therefore kinder treatments to children and young people affected by pHGG.
The trials platform was forwarded for NIHR (The National Institute for Health and Care Research) funding and discussed on the first call between the newly convened, NIHR Brain Tumour Novel Therapeutics Consortium and the paediatric community back in June.

Molecularly distinct subgroups of pHGG have been identified which have different therapeutic targets for treatment and management.
Patients will go through an upfront comprehensive tumour screening protcol (funded by The Brain Tumour Charity plus one arm) and be assigned to the most biologically relevant treatment arm.

NIHR has awarded £5.1m towards the TarGeT launch , and arms A, B and L .
NIHR has also awarded a further trial for relapsed low grade glioma (EPILOGUE) with £1.1m.

Some DIPG's and DMG's may be covered dependant on their alterations, but trial arms for H3K27 altered and wildtype tumours are still yet to be determined.



Read more on the funding link in comments. 👇

09/10/2026

Beautiful Amelie was just 14 years old when she was diagnosed with a Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG) in her brain stem in March 2025
She died in July 2025 surrounded by her loving family, only four short months after her diagnosis.
Bravely Amelie's family took on the incredible '1200 mile journey for Amelie' - just five weeks after she died walking from John O Groats to Land’s End, an amazing feat that raised over £20,000 for our DIPG/DMG research!

TOMORROW Will Ruscoe, Amelie's Head teacher from Sir William Romney's School, will be in Portugal taking on the Lisbon Marathon, in her memory
Inspiring every step Will writes "....Amelie's loss has left a profound impact on us all. She was an exceptional young person who excelled academically, represented the school with distinction on the sports field, and shared her talents through music and performances. Her warmth, determination and infectious spirit touched so many lives, and she is deeply missed every day by students, staff and the wider community...."

Amazing words for an amazing girl, and wonderful support from a school community, that are so profoundly affected every time, by the loss of a fellow pupil. 💗



Please DONATE for this incredible effort if you can : https://www.justgiving.com/page/will-ruscoe-1

08/10/2026

So grateful to Fundraising Page for Daisy & DIPG Brain Cancer Research who were part of a recent charity fashion show, which has raised a brilliant £1000 to benefit our DIPG/DMG research!

Through the year Daisy's family come together for various events and mark Daisy's birthday every November with the 'Daisy Walk' 🌼

The family have now passed the sad milestone of ten years, without their precious daughter who will be turning 19 this year, but is forever 7 because of DIPG. Forever remembered, loved and missed.

A HUGE thank you to everyone involved in organising the show, all those that took part and everyone who donated so generously to continue funding such crucial research, that is so needed by these young patients affected.

30/09/2026

We're proud, with the help and support of all our donors, and fellow DIPG families to be supporting the work of both Dr and our funded PhD student Megan at the

As we close out another childhood cancer awareness month, they are working to provide the robust data required to move new approaches, that DMG children so desperately need, towards new clinical trial opportunities.

Unique facilities and established collaborations at Birmingham can accelerate both of our funded studies in the shortest possible timeframe.
Time and hope are the most precious commodities to the DMG community, and we're grateful to them for their dedication, and further insight into their work 💗

Links to both projects are in the comments below.

23/09/2026

Some difficult news today - we've posted previously about Emilia, a very brave girl who despite having DIPG always smiles and is living life to its fullest.
Emilia has been taking part in CARMIGO, a CAR-T cell therapy clinical trial co-funded by Abbie's Army with your donations.

Emilia was hoping to have a 4th treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital, she was the first UK patient to receive a third dose under the protocol.
Unfortunately Emilia's latest MRI scan has not bought the news they had hoped for in order to proceed.
There is new growth of the tumour, and they will now be going back to Manchester for a further round of radiotherapy.

Emilia hit our TV screens last month after her plea to Andy Burnham alongside Archie Goodburn, for increased investment into brain tumour research and greater access to clinical trials.
She has already experienced way more than an 11 year old should have to, but uses her voice to advocate for others.
We think she's amazing !

Whilst they navigate this next stage of treatment, we'd like to share Emilia's Amazon wish list, help to shower her with gifts and try to ease a tiny fraction of the disappointment received today.
There is also a Gofundme page to help with expenses of travel, nutrition and everyday care going forward.
BOTH LINKS are below in comments below - please DONATE if you can 💗
Keeping Emilia in our thoughts.