A New Way to “Switch Off” DMG: How Dr. Tsai Is Targeting FOXR2

This article originally appeared on DIPG.org Diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) are among the most aggressive pediatric brain tumours—and they’re notoriously difficult to treat. But thanks to new research led by Dr. Jessica Tsai at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, scientists are exploring a way to “switch off” the cancer itself—right at the source. What’s Being Targeted? FOXR2 At the heart of this breakthrough is a gene called FOXR2. This gene normally stays off in healthy brain tissue—but in D

Australian Children's Brain Cancer Conference: Advancing Research and Treatment

The Australian Children's Brain Cancer Conference is a pivotal annual event developed by the Children’s Brain Cancer Centre, the Children’s Hospital Foundation, and The Cure Starts Now Australia that is dedicated to advancing research, treatment, and support for children affected by brain cancer. Held in March, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia, this conference brought together leading scientists, medical professionals, and advocacy groups to collaborate on innovative solutions to improve survival rat

Founder of The Cure Starts Now Australian Chapter Receives the Order of Australia Medal

Ren Pedersen was presented with the highest honour a citizen can receive for his work with The Cure Starts Now. Townsville, Queensland  January 2022­­ –Ren Pedersen has dedicated the past decade of his life to funding research to find a cure for DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma), which his daughter Amy succumbed to in 2009.  The Cure Starts Now (Australia), under Ren’s leadership has raised over $4 million dollars since it’s inception.  Because of his selflessness and dedication to finding

Australian Researchers Find New Way to Target Deadly Childhood Cancer With CBL0137

The following work was supported by grants from The Cure Starts Now and the DIPG/DMG Collaborative. Research by Australian scientists could pave the way to a new treatment for a currently incurable brain cancer in children called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, or DIPG. Affecting about 20 children in Australia each year, DIPG is a devastating disease with an average survival time of just nine months after diagnosis. The research, led by scientists at Children’s Cancer Institute and published t

Townsville's Greatest Ever Medical Achievement?

The Cure Starts Now (Australia) is based in Townsville and home of founder, Ren Pedersen. Ren’s 7yo daughter Amy passed away in 2009. This well known local business man immediately started his tireless journey to help find cures for the deadliest  paediatric brain tumours, creating The Cure Starts Now (Australia). With over $1.5M raised locally in the past few years alone,  life saving research results are now evident and gaining international recognition! LOCAL FUNDING ENABLES RESEARCHERS TO

Big pay-off in child cancer drug quest

Although The Cure Starts Now has no formal involvement with this particular trail, we did provide actual hardware & are constantly helping brave parents traverse the unimaginable autopsy donation pathway.  Heartfelt thanks to The Townsville Bulletin's, Kate Banville, for acknowledging the pivitol role played by parents in progressing the most challenging cancer research.

DIPG Symposium 2019

Ren Pedersen officially announces Sydney's hosting of the 2019 international DIPG Symposium 1st August - 3rd August 2019.

Researcher Spotlight: Dr. Maria Tsoli from Lowy Cancer Research Centre

A senior scientist at Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Dr. Maria Tsoli is helping to lead the charge to focus on the deadly disease of DIPG in Australia. Dr. Tsoli is the recipient of over $225,000 in research grants from The Cure Starts Now and our DIPG Collaborative partners. “The CSN funding has been pivotal in establishing our DIPG Research Program at the Children’s Cancer Institute. This is the first established laboratory in Australia with a program specifically focused on developing novel tre

The Cure Starts Now Donates $100,000 to Children's Cancer Institute Australia

After tragically losing his nine-year-old daughter, Amy, to a brain tumour, father Ren Pedersen raised $100,000 for Children’s Cancer Institute Australia (CCIA), which will go towards critical brain cancer research being carried out by Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick paediatric oncologist and CCIA scientist, Dr David Ziegler. The Cure Starts Now (CSN) is an international organisation dedicated to raising vital funds for brain cancer research. The Australian branch of CSN was created by Ren

Breakthrough in quest to cure the incurable cancer that strikes kids

"Sometimes we have no answers and there is nothing.”  That is what Danielle and Darryl Squires were told just moments after their three-year-old daughter Monique was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer.  “No, we can’t operate. There is no chemo for this,” doctors said.  “Your child is going to die within six to 12 months.” DIPG, or diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, has been described as the worst of all child cancers. Sneaky and cruel, it typically hits those aged around five to seven. It is