DIPG Awareness Day in front of Canadian Senate

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Thanks partly to one local family’s work, DIPG Awareness Day is well on the way to being nationally recognized.

The bill’s first reading has gone through, and Isabelle Cayford says it received no opposition. It must go through two more readings to be adopted, but the Cayfords are hopeful.

For years, the Cayford family has been trying to get the Canadian government to recognize May 17th as DIPG Awareness Day to align with other countries.

Isabelle’s daughter, Adaura, passed away from DIPG on July 1st, 2020. Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, or DIPG, is a cancerous brain tumour that develops in a part of the brain stem and is often fatal.

Last summer, the Cayfords held several barbecues to get enough signatures to get the bill in front of the Canadian Senate, as well as raise awareness of the deadly disease. 

They received more than enough signatures over the course of the summer and used the money they raised to help out a couple of families during the Christmas season.

Isabelle says they are planning more summer barbecues for Adaura’s birthday and DIPG awareness in 2023.

For more information on the bill, S-260, visit the Parliament of Canada’s website.