Draft:Madeline Suy (Mighty Maddy)

Madeline Suy (born August 21, 2014), also known as Mighty Maddy, is an Australian child known for being one of the first children to receive a third round of radiation therapy, with 12.5Gy over 5 treatments, to treat diffuse midline glioma (DIPG), a type of childhood brain tumor located in the pons.

She is also known for her role in "Mighty Maddy's mission to the future", an advocacy film which she co-directed with film producer Maria Tran of Phoenix Eye Films and her family's advocacy for DIPG research and treatment.

Early life and diagnosis
Suy was born in Australia to parents of Vietnamese and Chinese descent.

On November 28, 2020, Madeline was brought to "Westmead Children's Hospital with severe migraines, leading to her diagnosis with DIPG. A biopsy performed by Dr. Charlie Teo revealed an H3K27M mutation, a critical discovery in her diagnosis. Her cells were donated to Professor Matt Dunn at the University of Newcastle for research.

Medical journey
In January 2020, Suy underwent her first course of radiation treatment, receiving 54gy in 30 fractions. In September 2022, Suy became the first child to be accepted into the "PNOC022 trial " at Westmead Children's Hospital.

In October 2022, Madeline received a second round of radiation, with 24gy in 12 fractions.

In January 2024, she received a third round of radiation therapy, with 12.5Gy over 5 treatments. This third round is especially notable given the rarity of such treatment for DIPG in Australia, considering the average prognosis of 6-9 months for the condition.

Advocacy and community engagement
Suy's battle against DIPG is supported by various initiatives and partnerships.

In February 2024, Maddy and her family’s advocacy resulted in a $20 million Albanese government gift to fund research into aggressive brain tumors. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler will make $20 million available over seven years through the Medical Research Future Fund for clinical trials and vital work to find new treatments.

Suy and her family are also actively involved with the Charlie Teo Foundation, a significant organization in the field of brain cancer research. Their participation in the foundation's activities helps raise crucial funds and awareness for DIPG research.

The Suy family also supports RUNDIPG, an organization dedicated to increasing awareness and funding for DIPG research.

The Mighty Maddy Movement
The "Mighty Maddy Movement" represents a series of initiatives led by Madeline Suy aimed at raising awareness for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). A key component of this movement is "Might Maddy's mission to the future", a creative project blending a short film with documentary elements Produced by Maria Tran and Phoenix Eye Films, the film features Madeline in a superheroine role, symbolizing her fight against DIPG.

The project, currently in post-production, is expected to release in mid-2024. It combines imaginative storytelling with real-life insights into living with DIPG, encompassing interviews and discussions that emphasize the need for research and effective treatments.