National Payton Slaymaker Day
National Payton Slaymaker Day honors the inspiring story of a young girl whose strength touched hearts across the United States. Diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (D.I.P.G.), a rare, aggressive brain cancer, Payton Slaymaker faced her journey with remarkable positivity.
Honor a young cancer survivor's legacy by driving awareness and fundraising for D.I.P.G. research through community storytelling and grassroots fundraising events.
- Share Payton's story of courage to inspire your community and raise D.I.P.G. awareness
- Host a movie night fundraiser with friends to support childhood cancer research
- Create a tribute art piece celebrating Payton's love of music, dance, and kindness
- Donate to D.I.P.G. research organizations and amplify the call to action on social media
National Payton Slaymaker Day began as a heartfelt tribute to Payton Slaymaker, a brave girl from Indiana. Payton, diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (D.I.P.G.) in 2019, faced her illness with remarkable courage.
After her passing in 2021, her community wanted to honor her strength and spirit. They created this day to remember her life and raise awareness about D.I.P.G., a rare, aggressive form of brain cancer affecting children.
The idea for this day came from Payton’s family and supporters who saw how her story touched lives across the country. Her journey inspired people far beyond her hometown, leading them to join together in support of families affected by childhood cancer.
By establishing a national day, they aimed to spotlight both Payton’s legacy and the urgent need for research into this devastating disease.
National Payton Slaymaker Day is now observed each year, drawing attention to the challenges families face when dealing with D.I.P.G.
It also highlights the importance of funding for research, as treatments remain limited for children diagnosed with this illness. The day brings communities together in both remembrance and hope.
Payton’s story shows that this special day encourages people to contribute in meaningful ways.
From donations to simple acts of kindness, National Payton Slaymaker Day emphasizes the impact one young life can have. Each year, her legacy grows, spreading awareness and kindness in her name.
Share Payton’s Story
Spread her message online or in person! Post about Payton’s story on social media or with family and friends. Raising awareness for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (D.I.P.G.) can help make a difference in understanding and supporting research for this disease.
Get Crafty with a Tribute
Uniquely express yourself. Draw, paint, or make a small sculpture inspired by Payton’s favorite things, like music, dance, or friendship. Sharing these creations as a community tribute can bring people closer together in her memory.
Support D.I.P.G. Research
Donate to organizations focused on funding D.I.P.G. research. Every contribution helps move us closer to better treatment options. Whether it’s a local charity or a well-known cancer research foundation, each donation adds value.
Hold a Movie Night Fundraiser
Host a cozy movie night with friends or neighbors. Set up a small donation jar and enjoy Payton’s favorite movies or feel-good classics. It’s a warm way to gather, relax, and remember her positive spirit while raising funds for a good cause.
Share a Smile
Sometimes, the simplest gestures mean the most. Payton was known for her kind heart. Reach out to others, help a neighbor, or simply share a smile. Acts of kindness in her memory spread her warmth and joy even further. National Payton Slaymaker Day Timeline1926 First clinical description of pontine gliomas in children Neurologists in the early 20th century began publishing detailed case reports of intrinsic tumors of the pons in children, laying the groundwork for what would later be classified as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. [1]1972 Introduction of cranial CT scanning in pediatric brain tumor diagnosis The clinical rollout of computed tomography allowed physicians to noninvasively visualize brainstem masses in children for the first time, improving recognition and basic characterization of tumors that would later be labeled DIPG. [1]1980s MRI becomes the standard imaging tool for brainstem tumors Magnetic resonance imaging rapidly replaces CT for evaluating pediatric brain tumors, giving clinicians clearer views of infiltrative tumors in the pons and enabling more accurate diagnosis of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma without surgical biopsy. [1]1993 Evidence that radiotherapy offers only temporary relief for DIPG Clinical outcome studies in the early 1990s show that conventional external beam radiation can briefly shrink diffuse pontine tumors and improve symptoms, but nearly all children relapse within months, underscoring the need for new treatments. [1]2012 Landmark discovery of H3K27M mutations in DIPG Genomic analyses reveal recurrent mutations in histone H3 genes (H3.3 and H3.1) in most diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas, defining a new molecular subtype and shifting research toward epigenetic drivers of these lethal pediatric brain tumors. [1]2016 Childhood brain tumors surpass leukemia as the leading cause of U.S. cancer death in kids An analysis of national mortality data finds that brain tumors have become the top cause of cancer-related death among American children, focusing attention on deadly entities like DIPG that have seen little survival improvement in decades. [1]2018 WHO formally recognizes “diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27M‑mutant” The World Health Organization’s revision of central nervous system tumor classifications introduces diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27M‑mutant, which includes most DIPG cases, standardizing diagnosis and supporting more targeted clinical trials.
First clinical description of pontine gliomas in children
Neurologists in the early 20th century began publishing detailed case reports of intrinsic tumors of the pons in children, laying the groundwork for what would later be classified as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. [1]
Introduction of cranial CT scanning in pediatric brain tumor diagnosis
The clinical rollout of computed tomography allowed physicians to noninvasively visualize brainstem masses in children for the first time, improving recognition and basic characterization of tumors that would later be labeled DIPG. [1]
MRI becomes the standard imaging tool for brainstem tumors
Magnetic resonance imaging rapidly replaces CT for evaluating pediatric brain tumors, giving clinicians clearer views of infiltrative tumors in the pons and enabling more accurate diagnosis of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma without surgical biopsy. [1]
Evidence that radiotherapy offers only temporary relief for DIPG
Clinical outcome studies in the early 1990s show that conventional external beam radiation can briefly shrink diffuse pontine tumors and improve symptoms, but nearly all children relapse within months, underscoring the need for new treatments. [1]
Landmark discovery of H3K27M mutations in DIPG
Genomic analyses reveal recurrent mutations in histone H3 genes (H3.3 and H3.1) in most diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas, defining a new molecular subtype and shifting research toward epigenetic drivers of these lethal pediatric brain tumors. [1]
Childhood brain tumors surpass leukemia as the leading cause of U.S. cancer death in kids
An analysis of national mortality data finds that brain tumors have become the top cause of cancer-related death among American children, focusing attention on deadly entities like DIPG that have seen little survival improvement in decades. [1]
WHO formally recognizes “diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27M‑mutant”
The World Health Organization’s revision of central nervous system tumor classifications introduces diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27M‑mutant, which includes most DIPG cases, standardizing diagnosis and supporting more targeted clinical trials.