Maisie was the sweetest, most loving little goofball. She loved princesses, poop jokes, and playing Zelda with her Dad. She hated all the attention this disease had brought her and was happy anywhere as long as she had  her big sister, Maren, and her kitties, Bitsy and Lily. 

Maisie was notoriously stubborn in the most charming way. She was careful in choosing exactly who she wanted to share herself with, and when she did, it was such a gift. Maisie was thoughtful and eloquent well beyond her years. She cuddled with her whole heart, though it was often too rough. She added humor to every situation and her laugh is a sound that will be deeply missed. Her family will always remember her beautiful hair, her spunk, her connection to animals, and her love for Doritos and buffalo wings.

Maisie's DIPG battle lasted 13 months, and none of it was easy. She persevered through constant setbacks and when she was done with her battle, she bravely told us. Maisie's profound impact on the lives of her family and friends will be cherished forever. 

Maisie was diagnosed with DIPG in July 2025 at age 4, after a few weeks of headaches and some fleeting moments of eye deviation. Otherwise perfectly healthy and happy, her family thought she may need some glasses and instead received a diagnosis of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, an inoperable, currently incurable brainstem tumor primarily affecting children ages 5-10, which disrupts vital functions like breathing, swallowing, and balance. 

Thank you for choosing to donate to The Cure Starts Now Foundation. 100% of this donation, after credit card processing fees, goes directly towards research to find the homerun cure for cancer starting with pediatric brain cancer research.

Brain cancers and tumors are the next frontier in the cure for cancer.  They are exactly what the fourth generation of a true cure strategy would focus on.  These cancers are difficult to surgically remove, have only temporary effects from radiation and are immune to most chemotherapy methods due to a blood-brain barrier.  They are the one remaining form of cancer that force us to invent entirely new methods rather than tweak current treatments.  Through this, they are our “homerun cure” revolution and what we learn from beating brain cancer will change everything we apply to all cancers. 

Specifically pediatric brain tumors represent a category that also encompasses the purest forms of brain cancer and some of the most aggressive, thereby employing the “biggest bully” strategy.

If you would like to make a donation by mail please send a check to:  The Cure Starts Now Foundation; 10280 Chester Road; Cincinnati, OH 45215 and put the child's name in the memo.

The family receives notification of all donations made to this tribute fund automatically. Thank you again for giving.  The cure starts with you…The Cure Starts NOW!