(WKYT) – Health experts say they are seeing an unusual number of pediatric brain tumors known as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, or DIPG, in eastern Kentucky and are working with federal officials to find out why.
The tumors have no known cause. Families from across eastern Kentucky gathered Wednesday at the Corbin Center. For some, the event was an information session. For others, it is reality.
Families seek answers
Marsha Miniard said the search for answers is personal. Her daughter has DIPG.
“DIPG is a monster… when the monster is in your room, they tell you that you cannot get it out,” Miniard said.
Miniard’s daughter, Destiney, 10, was diagnosed nearly two years ago. Miniard recalled the moment that changed.
“She was walking like she was stepping through muddy water… I said quit acting like Donald Duck walking like that… and she said, Mommy, I am not meaning to,” Miniard said.
Doctors first gave Destiney a timeline of two to six months. She is now on hospice, alert but weak, and has lived well past that timeline.
State review underway
State officials said the search for a cause starts with local health departments and a federal environmental review.
“After we made the determination that those numbers had increased, the next thing we did was reach out to our local health department directors,” said Dr. Lori Caloia of the Kentucky Department for Public Health.
State officials said federal review of mercury, radon and water data shows no link so far.
Miniard said she will keep showing up so no family faces DIPG alone.
The WKYT Investigates team previously reported on the DIPG cases in eastern Kentucky. You can find that here.
