Maryland Lt. Governor Rutherford Welcomes Michael Mosier Defeat DIPG Foundation to State House in Annapolis for First-Ever DIPG Awareness Day

 

For the first time in Maryland’s history, Governor Larry Hogan established May 17, 2016, as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) Awareness Day, to help raise public awareness of this deadly childhood cancer.  Michael Mosier Defeat DIPG Foundation was pleased to visit the Maryland State House in Annapolis on May 17, to receive the official Proclamation.  Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford presented the Proclamation and spoke to the gathering of DIPG families, leading doctors and researchers from NIH and Children’s National Medical Center, and other supporters.

Executive Director Jenny Mosier delivered a speech to mark the occasion and recognize a number of Maryland children who passed away due to DIPG, including her son, Michael Mosier, Christopher Sliker, Crystal Krug, Brogan Ruppert, Sebastian Gagliardi, Emma Hensel, Sarah Rosenbaum, and Sydney Schlobohm.

DIPG is the leading cause of childhood death due to brain tumors and typically strikes school-age children. DIPG Awareness Day falls during brain tumor awareness month, and specifically on the one-year anniversary of the passing of Michael Mosier, for whom Michael Mosier Defeat DIPG Foundation is named.

“We thank Governor Hogan and Lt. Governor Rutherford for their strong leadership. Through this Proclamation, they are giving a voice to children who are unable to advocate for themselves. Recognizing this devastating disease is an important milestone in the quest to promote awareness of one of the leading causes of disease death for our children,” says Jenny Mosier, Executive Director of Michael Mosier Defeat DIPG Foundation, “This awareness day honors our son, Michael, along with all of the young children who lost their lives too soon after brave battles with DIPG.”