Tough2gether Foundation inspires collaborative groups to engage and share ideas so that all, working together, may best fill the gaps in the needs of families facing pediatric brain cancer. We push hard to evaluate the status quo and to be a thought leader in innovation. We encourage work to be done quickly and efficiently, like lives depend on it, because we know first hand, young lives truly do.

We participate in, and often speak at, research conferences across the country such as Cancer Moonshot Childhood Cancer Forum, Cancer Moonshot Brain Tumor Forum, Society of Neuro Oncology conference, Pediatric Society of Neuro Oncology conference, NIH Inspire Immunotherapy conference, Phacilitate Gene and Cell Therapy Conference, Coalition Against Childhood Cancer workshops, Children’s Brain Tumor Network conference, CCDI Symposium, ChadTough Defeat DIPG Researcher’s Workshop, Pacific Pediatric Neuro Oncology Symposium, Rare KC conference and many more. In recognition of our work in this area, Tough2gether Foundation was asked to help coordinate the White House Cancer Moonshot Brain Cancer Forum and continues to serve on a resulting working group.

Daily, Tough2gether Foundation receives applications for financial support from families struggling under the financial weight of pediatric cancer treatments and travel. We first get to know the families and their needs, then engage other foundations across the country to join with us to assist as we fund the most immediate needs. For some this may be rent, a car repair, Christmas gifts, airfare for travel, funeral services for a child. We understand it is impossible to think, let alone plan, for the day your child battles cancer.

Tough2gether Fighting Childhood Cancer helps families in Northeast Kansas as well. Our neighbors fighting childhood cancer, of any type, in the Northeast Kansas area must travel far for the best trials and treatments for their children. Tough2gether is committed to support local pediatric cancer families during their child’s fight. Our application for support is open and easy to use.

We advocate nationally and at the state level for additional funding for pediatric cancer research and family support, to reduce barriers to drug approval or travel out of state for care, and to make developing diagnostics and treatments reimbursable by health insurance. Currently, we are intimately involved with the Cancer Moonshot Brain Tumor project, are working on the Give Kids a Chance Act, the Gabriella Miller Kids First 2.0 Act sponsored by our Senator Moran, and an effort to provide federal assistance to every patient diagnosed with GBM or DIPG/DMG from diagnosis and one caretaker per patient. We are also supportive of the Promising Pathways Act.

Whether through thought provoking new conversations at the national or regional level or emotional or financial support for a family, Tough2gether is ready to help. We rely upon a scientific advisory committee to guide our approach to investing in research and trials. We fund grants through DDRFA and as a ChadTough Defeat DIPG Research Partner to bring hope to the families fighting DIPG/DMG now and in the future.

We work with palliative care, holistic medicine, child psychologists and therapists to better understand the best ways to provide education and emotional support available to family members. We keep making the circle bigger to fight childhood cancer 2gether. Tough2gether Foundation co-coordinates the Kids Brain Cancer – Real Talk series, holds a weekly online open hour “2gether in the Battle” for moms in the fight and a “2gether we Heal” for newly bereaved DIPG/DMG moms a monthly support for all bereaved moms, as well as a bi-monthly support group for DIPG/DMG survivors and for DIPG/DMG teen siblings. We underwrite the BrainStorm Summit making sure families can gather annually 2gether to learn, share, connect and heal.