On Thursday, April 28, 2011, our 15 year-old son Robert was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). As we pulled out of the hospital parking garage, Robert asked from the back seat “Will I die from this?” Carefully measuring my words, I cautiously responded, “Not necessarily.”Soon thereafter, we learned that Robert’s tumor was a Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) – rare and inoperable. In the subsequent months, Robert underwent the best care currently available for DIPG, including proton radiation, chemotherapy, an anti-cancer diet, supplements and lots of love and prayer.Through those challenging months, Robert courageously led the full life of an ambitious teen: he went to summer camp, attended school every day, completed a firefighting mentorship, was an exchange student to Spain, was active with his church youth group and loved New Hope-Solebury and European soccer! His love of learning, contagious team spirit, joyful reverence for life and bright smile in the face of adversity inspired all who knew him. Every day was a gift.Sadly, the DIPG tumor finally had its way. Surrounded by family and friends, Robert passed away at his home on Thursday, April 25, 2013. During the two years that Robert battled the cancer, we can honestly say that all of our prayers were answered …except for one: we finally had to say “good-bye.”Will DIPG continue to have its way among our children? May we all be able to say one day with hope” Not necessarily!!”Thank you for supporting St. Baldrick’s efforts to fund pediatric cancer research.