Hadley “Haddie” Boucher

Six-year-old Hadley “Haddie B” Boucher is the kind of child who instantly fills a room with joy. The youngest of three sisters, she’s known for her kindness, her creativity, and a smile so contagious it brightens the day of anyone lucky enough to meet her. She’s sweet, strong and serves as the family’s little spark..

Haddie loves just about anything active or creative. A die-hard Boston Bruins fan, she can often be found cheering from the couch in her black and gold jersey or pretending to take a slap shot of her own. She’s recently developed a love for baseball, proudly rooting for the Red Sox. When she’s not watching or playing sports, Haddie is usually painting, drawing, or dreaming up her next big art project. Her love for animals runs deep too—she adores spending time with her three dogs, Mack, Harley, and Cooper, and has a soft spot for every furry friend she meets.

But this past spring, the Boucher family’s world shifted in ways they could never have imagined.

In April 2025, after weeks of morning headaches, nausea, and complaints that “every time she laughs or runs, her head hurts,” Haddie’s parents knew something wasn’t right. Following an urgent visit to her pediatrician and a series of tests, they received the devastating diagnosis no parent ever wants to hear: diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG)—a rare, aggressive, and inoperable tumor that grows in the brainstem.

The family’s lives changed in an instant, but so did their resolve. “We decided from the very beginning that we would fight for her with everything we have,” they said.

Haddie underwent 30 rounds of radiation, the standard treatment for DIPG. True to form, she faced it with bravery and grace, greeting each day with determination and that same unforgettable smile. A few months later, in July, Haddie began treatment through an expanded access program for ONC201, a drug that ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation has supported for nearly a decade. Now FDA approved and known as Modeyso, ONC201 has become one of the most promising therapies for children and adults with H3K27M-mutant brain tumors.

Haddie has tolerated the medicine well and continues to be monitored with MRIs every two months. Her family remains vigilant, researching new trials and staying hopeful for what lies ahead.

Through it all, Haddie’s courage has never wavered. She still goes to school full time, just finished her fall season of dek hockey, and is getting ready to start basketball again. Physically, she’s a powerhouse. Emotionally, her family says, she’s the bravest little girl they know.