Emmy nod for film about Stanford brain tumor research - and the little boy who made it possible

“Dylan’s Gift,” a documentary detailing how one family’s generosity is advancing research on a little-understood childhood cancer, has been nominated for an Emmy. The film, which was inspired by a 2009 Stanford Medicine story, explores the work of Stanford physician-scientist Michelle Monje, MD, PhD, who cares for pediatric brain cancer patients and conducts research on a rare, vicious brain tumor that arises in school-aged children and usually kills them within a year of diagnosis. As an FBR Media release explains:

When their 5-year-old son, Dylan, is diagnosed with a rare and fatal brain tumor and given just 6 months to live, Danah and John Jewett become determined to fight the deadly disease, called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). When their son’s life is tragically cut short, they donate Dylan’s tumor to research at Stanford University School of Medicine. This generous gift has helped scientists create the first-ever mouse model of DIPG. The DIPG mouse model is now shedding light on this devastating disease and helping scientists discover new treatments and a potential cure to help other children. This episode was filmed on location at Stanford University School of Medicine.

In the above trailer, the Jewetts share their heart-wrenching story and discuss their decision to donate Dylan’s brain tumor after he passed away.

Previously: Documentary about childhood brain tumor research airs in San Francisco, Finding hope for rare pediatric brain tumor, Big advance against a vicious pediatric brain tumor, Video profiles work of pediatric brain tumor researcher and New Stanford trial targets rare brain tumor
Photo in the featured entry box courtesy of the Jewett family