In Episode 37 of the Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Dana Nichols and Val Solomon sit down with Tammi Carr, co-founder of ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation. Tammi speaks about her son Chad, a bright and mischievous 3-year-old diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), an inoperable and aggressive brain tumor. After Chad’s passing, Tammi and her family transformed their grief into action, launching a foundation that has since become one of the largest funders of DIPG and DMG research.
Watch Tammi’s episode here: Game Over: c*ncer EP37: Tammi Carr
Lessons from the conversation:
Their conversation explores how collaboration, perseverance, and hope can drive extraordinary progress in pediatric brain cancer research, including:
7 Key Takeaways from the conversation:
1. Chad’s Legacy Sparked a Movement
What began as Tammi sharing Chad’s story online to raise awareness and prayers evolved into a national foundation funding millions in research. Her initial goal was to raise $500,000 annually, Last year, the foundation raised over $8 million.
2. Collaboration Is Non-Negotiable
Tammi emphasized that no single foundation or lab can solve DIPG alone. ChadTough partners with over 45 family foundations and multiple research institutions, refusing to work with any organization unwilling to share data or collaborate.
3. Merging for the Mission
A key milestone in ChadTough’s growth was its merger with the Michael Mosier Defeat DIPG Foundation. This partnership combined resources, infrastructure, and family networks, proving that joining forces can accelerate impact far beyond what either could have done alone.
4. Family Partners Keep Legacies Alive
ChadTough’s family partners – parents who’ve also lost children to DIPG – find comfort and purpose through shared advocacy. The foundation ensures every child’s name is remembered, and every family feels part of the mission to end DIPG.
5. From Volunteer Effort to Sustainable Operation
Tammi spoke candidly about the emotional and logistical toll of running a foundation while grieving. She stressed the need for paid staff, accountability, and structure to make long-term impact sustainable, dispelling the myth that nonprofits should operate solely on volunteer power.
6. A Landmark in DIPG Research
After years of funding and collaboration, ONC201 became the first FDA-approved drug for recurrent H3 K27M-mutant DMG, a historic breakthrough offering families real hope and a crucial foundation for future therapies.
7. Progress Threatened by Research Funding Cuts
Despite progress, Tammi voiced serious concern about proposed 37% cuts to national cancer research funding, including pediatric research. These cuts could halt momentum, shut down labs, and undermine decades of work.
Why It Matters
Pediatric cancer isn’t one disease. It’s many. Progress in one area, like DIPG, can unlock breakthroughs across the field. The success of ONC201 shows what’s possible when families, foundations, and scientists work together, and what’s at stake if funding disappears.
If you’re moved by Tammi’s story and want to be part of the progress that’s helping kids and families facing cancer, visit cannonballkidscancer.org to learn more, donate, or get involved. For more information on what ChadTough is doing for DIPG and DMG research, head to chadtough.org/
Know a survivor or advocate whose story needs to be shared? Email us at info@cannonballkidscancer.org to nominate a guest!
