June 14, 2006 – July 16, 2012
Diagnosed: April 11, 2012
Written by Gerry Tye (Talin’s Dad)
Talin Ash Hawkins was born in Australia, at home, delivered by me while watched on by a midwife as his mother did all the important work, on 14th June 2006. I was there to see his first breath into this World of Blue Pearl.
Little did I know that he would develop an insidious deadly brain tumour called DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma). Little did I know that this happy and healthy boy would be diagnosed on the 11th of April 2012. Little did I know that Talin would leave my life and die in my arms, just 13 weeks later while I watched his last breath. Little did I know that my life would be destroyed by a little researched brain tumour that continues to take our children to this very day.
Little did I know of the suffering that these children go through before they die in the weeks, months and short years they may have. Little did I know that DIPG affects children from the ages of 2.5 – 26 years, with the average being around 5-8 years old. Little did I know that the medical community has no real treatment, let alone a cure for these children. Little did I know that DIPG means the children lose all the basic abilities of life, movement, speech, swallowing, breathing and so much more. Little did I know that DIPG can affect one identical twin and not another, across socioeconomic boundaries and countries. Little did I know that there was no real funding for DIPG Research because the governments of the day think that it is Rare.
Little did I know that the Dreams I had for my children would be taken away by the effects of DIPG as it destroys everything in its wake.
I Do Know that with Your Help we can Beat DIPG.
Please… Help…
Our Children Need You…
