| For too long now children have been dying senselessly because there is not enough money to be made in trying to save their lives. Another avenue needed to be found. The Prayers from Maria - Children's Glioma Cancer Foundation was born out of love for these children and this dire need.
The foundation is dedicated to funding global research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for childhood brain tumors known as gliomas; raising public awareness about gliomas and bringing hope to children and their families who deal with the hardships of this disease.
Childhood glioma research is grossly underfunded. The cure rate for most brain tumors is significantly lower than that for many other types of cancer. There is simply not enough being done to find a cure and the public remains unaware of the magnitude of this disease.
The Glioma family of tumors account for almost 45% of all tumors. They are the second highest cause of cancer deaths among young people. 85-95% of children who are diagnosed with a high-grade glioma die within five years.
On April 1, 2006 founders Ed and Megan McNamara's daughter, Maria, was diagnosed with a glioma and given 10-12 months to live. Each night, Maria prayed for all children affected by cancer and their families. She prayed the doctors would find a way to help them.
On July 14, 2007 Maria died at the sweet young age of 7.
On Maria's birthday, January 11,2007, the foundation was created to put Maria's prayers into action and bring an end to these statistics.
Change is needed.
Thanks to your help and the help of many others, we will be able to more rapidly advance our important mission.
| 
