On January 7, 2008, our lives were changed forever when our 10 year old daughter Emily was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in her left thalamus. Emily’s brain tumor, a pediatric low grade astrocytoma (PLGA) is the most common type of childhood brain tumor and yet, has historically received little, if any, dedicated funding or research. Consequently, there are few treatment options available, and those that are available are invasive, toxic and mostly ineffective.

Emily is determined to change all this and she has set her sights on raising $1 million to help fund PLGA dedicated research by December 31st, 2008. We, her family, have partnered with The Pediatric Low Grade Astrocytoma Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity (founded in August 2007) to help raise money for dedicated PLGA research with a goal of developing kinder, gentler and more effective treatments, AND a cure, for the thousands of PLGA children around the world.

I do believe this to be true. Please visit Emily’s website, www.colorforacure.com. You can buy a pixel of color for just one dollar. Each dollar – every cent – goes to PLGA research, and each pixel is added to a picture which is gradually completed as the goal of a million dollars is approached. You can make a difference in a child’s life, and make sure you tell a friend!