We are grateful for the hard work of every host who organizes an event in support of ChadTough Defeat DIPG. Check out these upcoming events and join whichever you can!

Together, we can bring hope for the future and envision a world where all kids diagnosed with brain cancer can live out their dreams.

Planning a fundraiser to support the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation?

Tell us about your event!

July

28Chicago Golf OutingRiverside, IL

July 28, 2025

Join us for the fifth annual ChadTough Defeat DIPG Chicago Golf Outing. Each year sells out quickly so be sure to purchase your spot! The day includes a light lunch and dinner, wonderful raffle items, games throughout the day, and best of all, raising awareness and much-needed funds for fighting DIPG.

If you have any questions about the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Chicago Golf Outing, please contact: CTGolf@Shaker.com

 

August

7Whitecaps Rivalry NightComstock Park, MI

August 7, 2025

In memory of Tommy Ruddy

Hosted by Team Tommy Army Strong

This is the 8th year for the West Michigan Whitecaps’ annual Rivalry Night, supported by ChadTough’s Family Partners Team Tommy. This night is about two schools that have a heated rivalry in baseball coming together to help two outstanding foundations. The Michael Sadler Foundation and Chad Tough Defeat DIPG Foundation with assistance from Team Tommy will be represented all night. Proceeds from ticket sales, online auction, and 50/50 sales will be donated to both organizations. Wear your Green & White or Maize & Blue! |

More information to come! https://www.milb.com/west-michigan

 

23Lip Sync Battle – Hudson’s HopeOverland Park, KS

August 23, 2025

In memory of Hudson Sands

Hosted by Hudson's Hope and Overland Park Racquet Club

Join us for the 6th Annual Lip Sync Battle on Saturday, August 23rd! Pick a song and live your best rock star moment for a great cause!

This year, we are hoping for at least 10 performances! Do you have to perform??? The answer is no, but we’d love it if you would!

We will have a silent auction, drinks, snacks, and yard games, along with a beautiful sunset in the background! Buy tickets here.

A few notes about the evening:

  1. Please shoot us an email of your song as we plan to communicate with our DJ. Email us at lipsyncbattlefordipg@gmail.com. If you aren’t a planner, you are welcome to pick a song that evening; just make sure you let us know!
  2. We will run performances every 10 minutes so please have your costumes on by 8:00pm sharp!
  3. There will be ample opportunities to donate to ChadTough that night… but plan to bring cash if you’d like to challenge a friend to a battle, pay for your friend (or enemy) to perform on stage, and to cancel out those performance requests. ALL proceeds from challenges go directly to ChadTough in honor of Hudson.
  4. Last, but not least, let’s all be ready to dance, laugh, and have a great time!

All proceeds will benefit the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation.

September

5Orange Out at Saline High School Football GameSaline, MI

September 5, 2025

In Memory of Chad Carr

Hosted by the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation

Come visit the ChadTough tent at the Saline High School Football game! We ask everyone to wear an orange shirt in honor of Chad Carr. His favorite color was orange!

6ColtStrong 5K/1M Run & Family Fun ZoneSylvania, OH

September 6, 2025

In celebration of Colt DelVerne

Hosted by Colt DelVerne's Family

We are excited to announce our 7th annual ColtStrong 5K/1M Fun Run & Family Fun Zone, which will be held virtually or in-person at Centennial Terrace in Sylvania, OH! This family-friendly fun run is a great way to come together to provide HOPE for families fighting DIPG! For non-runners who want to join us please come and celebrate to cheer on the runners, and have fun in our Family Fun Zone with a DJ, local food trucks, games and face paint!

Register by end-of-day August 17th to be guaranteed a shirt!

All proceeds will go to the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation, whose mission is to inspire and fund game-changing research to discover effective treatments for pediatric brain cancer, with an emphasis on diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).

14Emerson the Brave Stampede: 5K Fun Run and Color RunHolland, MI

September 14, 2025

In Memory of Emerson Hoogendoorn

Hosted by Emerson's family

The purpose of the 8th Annual Emerson the Brave Stampede 5K Fun Run & Color Run is to raise vital funds and awareness for DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma), DMG (diffuse midline glioma) and other pediatric brain cancers in honor of our forever 12-year old daughter, Emerson. Emerson battled DMG and radiation induced high grade glioma brain cancers for over 6 years before losing her battle in July 2024. Less than 2% of children diagnosed with DIPG/DMG survive 5 years post diagnosis. Emerson’s miracle survival was due to research and clinical trials supported by The ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation. Every year since Emerson’s diagnosis, our community has come together to raise money to help fund the amazing strides the doctors and researchers have made against this terrible disease.

We have partnered with the Carr and Mosier Families to become an official Partner Family of the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation, to continue to support the handful of doctors and researchers throughout the United States who have dedicated their lives to developing an effective treatment plan for DIPG. The good news is that these individuals are making real progress! The challenge is that they are almost entirely funded through private donations.

Join us for the 8th Annual Emerson the Brave Stampede: 5K Fun Run and Color Run to help make a difference in the fight against DIPG/DMG!

20RunTough for Team OwenOak Park, IL

September 20, 2025

In honor of Owen Petrzelka

Hosted by the Petrzelka/Shaker family

In 2020, six-year-old Owen fought bravely against DIPG, an aggressive and incurable brain tumor after a nearly six-month battle. Join us in honoring his strength and infectious giggle in hopes of creating a brighter outcome for other kiddos who face this terrible disease.

Run with us on September 20th, 2025. This run is virtual, you can run wherever you like! More info will be sent about the logistics of the virtual run after registration. We’re also aiming for some fun surprises for those who run locally, so stay tuned for more details!

You can sign up to run or make a donation. All proceeds will go to ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation, whose mission is to inspire and fund game-changing research to discover effective treatments for pediatric brain cancer, with an emphasis on Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).

28RunTough for ChadToughSaline, MI

September 28, 2025

The 12th Annual RunTough for ChadTough Defeat DIPG is a family-friendly event and the foundation’s longest running event, bringing together families, both locally and across the world, to raise money for childhood brain cancer research. In celebration of Chad Carr’s September 26th birthday, who passed away at the age of 5, participants can enjoy a fun-filled afternoon in Saline, MI, including a Family Fun Zone and Tot Race, free for kids 5 and under on Sunday, September 28th, 2025.

You can run or walk in Saline or VIRTUALLY from anywhere.

October

11Par 3 for DIPG – Malin’s DaysLittle Rock, AR

October 11, 2025

In memory of Malin Opitz

Hosted by the Opitz Family

Mark your calendars for the 2nd annual Par3 for DIPG Golf Challenge. We are still in the planning stages, but are looking for sponsors, volunteers, and new ideas! We had such an amazing event last year and hope to make this one even bigger and better.

All proceeds benefit The Malin Reed Opitz Memorial Fund to support various non-profits that were near and dear to Malin’s heart. The largest allocation will be to the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation to fund research to find a cure for this devastating disease that Malin bravely battled for 8 months.

21Sparkle & Shop LuncheonLathrup Village, MI

October 21, 2025

Back by popular demand! Join us again this year for another great “sip and shop” experience to benefit ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation at the Mint at Michigan First Conference Center in Lathrup Village, Michigan! Get a head start on your holiday shopping at pop-up versions of some of our favorite boutiques. A sit-down lunch program will follow, along with a final chance to wrap up your shopping afterward.

November

8Dream Big at Nats ParkWashington, D.C.

November 8, 2025

Join us for an unforgettable evening at Nationals Park, hosted by the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation. Dream Big at Nats Park is a high-end fundraising event filled with fun, activities, and heartfelt moments as we come together to honor Michael Mosier, Chad Carr, and all the children impacted by DIPG in the past and present. This special night includes a strolling dinner, access to batting cages, and other interactive experiences that embrace the spirit of play. Guests will enjoy dancing, a program with a live auction, and plenty of surprises along the way. The evening promises to inspire as we raise funds for critical research, while recognizing the children and families who have faced this terrible disease. Be a part of this powerful event and help us continue the fight to Defeat DIPG.

December

31Sincerely Gretchen Fundraiser (2025)Online

Ongoing Fundraiser

In memory of Gretchen Weng

Hosted by Meghan O'Neill

Gretchen Weng passed away from Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) in October of 2023. As her very close friends, we hoped to raise awareness and donate money to fund DIPG research and support patients. Every donation counts!