Through the informed perspective of patient and inspiring journalist Cydonee Mardon, your newspaper offers a unique viewpoint to the discussion on funding brain cancer research (“I’ll think about it”, 24/12). Emotionally charged when surrounded by the parents of departed children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), solutions become blurred and the irrational belief might be accepted that funding should quickly offer more than hope. Sadly, the greatest poster boy for fundraising in the field of brain cancers, Dr Charlie Teo, must have disenchanted a generation of donors when his medical colleagues ostracised him. If they failed to revere this brilliant aspect of his career, where he tuned in to public sentiment and saved lives, why should the generous public not become cynical? With only 20 DIPG patients annually, Australia could be part of a multi-centred clinical trial, working with well-funded overseas institutions with a higher frequency of patients. Our participation with such small numbers might not be appealing, but would be welcomed if proposed with a funding boost. It should not be anathema for the Australian taxpayer to contribute to medical research overseas when the benefit is worldwide. The money is certainly better spent than funding several UN causes that we might consider suspect and overtly political. Stay healthy and keep the great writing coming, Cydonee. Alan Sexton North Parramatta 30Dec2023.