What began as a common childhood illness for 7-year-old Boston Pace of Louisiana, a scratchy throat in March 2026, eventually led to a devastating terminal brain cancer diagnosis just months later. Initially falling ill with his brothers, Boston’s symptoms persisted and worsened over weeks, confounding his mother, Alyssa Pace.
While his siblings recovered, Boston continued to experience vomiting and severe headaches. Subsequent doctor visits yielded negative results for strep throat. Pace was informed by medical professionals that Boston's symptoms were likely due to a sinus virus or heat exhaustion from playing baseball. Despite these reassurances and attempts to manage his symptoms, Boston’s condition deteriorated, marked by increased frequency of vomiting, headaches, and a noticeable decrease in energy.
By June 14, Pace rushed Boston to the emergency room, where a CT scan revealed a mass on his brain. This discovery prompted a referral to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. There, doctors confirmed the mass to be a diffuse midline glioma (DMG), an aggressive brain tumor previously known as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). The tumor grows within critical central nervous system structures like the brainstem and thalamus.
DMG is a rare diagnosis, affecting fewer than 500 Americans annually and accounting for one in five pediatric brain tumors, typically in children aged five to ten. Symptoms can be subtle, including headaches, nausea, balance problems, and behavioral changes. The prognosis is often grim, with most patients living less than a year after diagnosis and 99 percent dying within five years, according to the American Brain Tumor Association. The tumors are often inoperable due to their location interwoven with crucial brain structures.
At St. Jude's, Boston underwent surgery to place a shunt to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid and a biopsy to confirm the DMG diagnosis. He has since completed six weeks of radiation therapy in an attempt to shrink the tumor. Pace described the experience as a "nightmare" but noted Boston's bravery and strength throughout the ordeal. While his life expectancy is less than a year, the family maintains hope and is actively seeking clinical trials for Boston. They are also raising funds for medical expenses through a GoFundMe campaign and are seeking prayers and awareness for DMG.
