ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation

06/06/2026

At just 6 years old, Grant Steensland was diagnosed with DIPG. That day, the Steensland Family began a nine-month journey that would change their lives forever.

The symptoms that led to Grant’s diagnosis came on fast, and within days of his diagnosis, it began to be very hard for him to continue to do things he enjoyed. He didn’t understand why he couldn’t do certain things, but he showed so much strength through this very scary process.

We remember Grant today on the 16th anniversary of his passing.

“We miss our son Grant terribly, and there isn’t a day that goes by that he isn’t in our thoughts. Our hope is that through organizations like ChadTough, DIPG can one day be a cancer that is survivable.” — Ryan Steensland, Grant’s Dad

We are proud to have the Steensland Family as a Family Partner. Please keep them in your thoughts on this difficult day. Learn more about Grant here: https://chadtough.org/meet-the-kids/grant-steensland/

06/04/2026

Thank you to Motor City POCI for your continued support of our mission. This year, the group raised $4,500 to help fund critical DIPG/DMG research.

A special thank you to Mike Cushing for leading these efforts and for being such a passionate advocate for ChadTough Defeat DIPG.

06/03/2026

At just 5 years old, Owen Petrzelka was diagnosed with DIPG. He passed away just five and a half months later. In the face of unimaginable loss, the Petrzelka-Shaker family committed themselves to making sure Owen's life would leave a lasting impact.

This inspiring story shares how Owen's journey motivated UW researcher Owen Tamplin to dedicate his work to better understanding DIPG, creating hope that future breakthroughs may be possible.

We're grateful to the Petrzelka-Shaker family, a ChadTough Defeat DIPG Family Partner, for sharing Owen's story and for their commitment to the fight to .

The death of a six-year-old inspired a UW researcher to investigate a rare brain cancer.

06/02/2026

We’re thrilled to share that thanks to the generosity of our participants, sponsors, fundraisers, and donors, the 11th Annual ChadTough Defeat DIPG Superhero 6K, presented by Headfirst, raised $205,679, and counting!

You still have a few more days to be a superhero! Donations will be accepted until this Saturday, June 6. Make a gift at Superhero6K.com!

We want to see your pictures! Please share any photos of you in your race gear using the hashtags , , and . We would love for you to email pictures to [email protected].

Thank you to everyone who took part in this meaningful event. Together, we will !

Headfirst Summer Camps

05/31/2026

Elizabeth “Libby” Goodwin was a force to be reckoned with from the moment she entered this world. If you looked up the word “spunky” in the dictionary, you would most likely find a picture of Libby. She was a dancer, soccer player, cake pop lover, and charmed everyone she met along the way.

Libby started having “spike” headaches in the summer of 2018. They started off every few days but very quickly grew to multiple times an hour. After several visits to the doctor, no one could pinpoint the problem. That is, until she received an MRI that diagnosed her with DIPG. The journey was tough, but through each treatment, her smile was always there.

After Libby passed, the Lace ‘Em Up for Libby Foundation was created. Their mission is to give kids a chance to live without cancer and to build a better world. They raise funds to contribute to organizations that fight childhood cancer while also building a platform that will help young people find local opportunities for community service.

We are honored to have the Lace ‘Em Up for Libby Foundation as a Research Partner and our hearts are with them today on the anniversary of Libby's passing. Learn more about Libby and the foundation created in her honor here: https://www.laceemupforlibby.org

For information on our partnership opportunities, visit chadtough.org/our-partners.

| Lace 'Em Up for Libby

05/29/2026

Tucker Smith was a silly, animal-loving, dinosaur-obsessed 7-year-old when his cancer journey began.

In the fall of 2017, Tucker started complaining of headaches, and by January of 2018, the headaches had turned into intense migraines with episodes of nausea and vomiting. It was discovered that Tucker has a softball-sized tumor and hydrocephalus.

Tucker underwent two surgeries and proton radiation treatment in Chicago. During this time, Tucker never lost his lust for life and had a special light that always drew people in.

Four years ago today, after four years of fighting, Tucker passed away. He left behind a giant hole in the hearts of all who knew him.

We are proud to have the Smith Family as a Family Partner. Please keep them in your thoughts on this difficult day. Learn more about Tucker here: https://chadtough.org/meet-the-kids/tucker-smith/

05/28/2026

Before cancer entered his world, Noah was a joyful, creative, kind-hearted kid who loved soccer, theater, improv, pickleball, and spending time with the people he loved most. At just 12 years old, after months of headaches and worsening symptoms, Noah was diagnosed with Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG).

Through surgeries, radiation, chemotherapy, clinical trials, countless hospital visits, and heartbreaking setbacks, Noah continued to live with remarkable faith, courage, and joy. He traveled to the University of Michigan to participate in the ONC201 clinical trial through the Chad Carr Pediatric Brain Tumor Center, giving hope not only to himself but to future children facing this disease. Even during the hardest moments, Noah kept smiling, encouraging others, and showing extraordinary strength far beyond his years.

Noah passed away on January 14, 2021, at 13 years old. His bravery, compassion, and unwavering faith left a mark on everyone who knew his story. Please join us in remembering Noah today while we continue to fight for a cure. Happy Heavenly Birthday, Noah.

Thank you NoahBrave for being a ChadTough Defeat DIPG Research and Navigator Partner and for continuing to bring hope to families facing this devastating disease. Learn more about this foundation created in Noah's honor here: https://www.noahbrave.org/

For more information about our partnership options, visit chadtough.org/our-partners.

| The NoahBrave Foundation

05/27/2026

Brain Tumor Awareness Month may be coming to a close, but there’s still time to make an impact. 💛🧡

You can still donate to the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Superhero 6K, presented by Headfirst, to help fund critical research for children battling DIPG and DMG while honoring all of our brain cancer heroes.

If you participated this year, we’d also love to see your photos! Please send your pictures to [email protected] so we can celebrate our incredible community.

Make a gift at Superhero6K.com!

| Headfirst Summer Camps

05/22/2026

Researchers interested in our Fellowship Grants: This is your final reminder that we are accepting letters of intent until June 8, 2026. Applicants will be notified in July regarding whether they have been selected to submit a full application.

These grants are designed to attract and support promising scientists beginning careers in DIPG research. By funding exceptional fellows under the mentorship of experienced leaders, we aim to help develop the next generation of innovators in the field.

Learn more here: https://chadtough.org/research/grant-application/

05/21/2026

Earlier this month, we hosted the 8th annual ChadTough Defeat DIPG Gala presented by The Alro Steel Foundation, Kenwal Steel, and Thomson Reuters. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our sponsors, gala guests, and online auction supporters, together we raised an amazing $2.1 million to help fuel critical DIPG and DMG research.

We are deeply grateful to Michigan Athletics, our gala co-chairs Anna & Dusty May, and our emcee Dana Jacobson for their unwavering commitment to our mission. We also want to recognize our dedicated volunteers, planning committee, auction committee, and the researchers who joined us for our research workshop.

The heart of the evening was honoring the children and families impacted by this devastating disease. Many childhood brain cancer families joined us, and we are honored to stand beside them in the urgent fight to find a cure.

Because of supporters like you, progress is being made. Your generosity is helping accelerate research, create new possibilities for children facing DIPG, and bring hope to families who need it most. We are endlessly thankful for your support.

📸 Thank you to Lisa Vreede, Erin English, and Rick Dupler for beautifully capturing the evening.

To learn more about the sponsors who made this unforgettable night possible, visit https://chadtough.org/special-events/chadtough-defeat-dipg-gala/