Lisa Ward is the President and co-founder of the Tough2gether Foundation, as well as a dedicated attorney based in Manhattan, KS. Her journey with childhood cancer advocacy began when she received the devastating diagnosis of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) for her son, Jace Ward, on DIPG Awareness Day, May 17, 2019. Determined to explore every avenue for treatment, Lisa tirelessly sought out trials and connected with experts worldwide during Jace’s 25-month battle. Despite her efforts, Jace passed away on July 3, 2021, at the age of 22. Since then, Lisa has channeled her grief into advocacy, striving to expand the support network for families affected by childhood cancer, particularly DIPG and Diffuse Midline Gliomas (DMG). She spearheads various initiatives, including the Brain Storm Summit annual conference in Washington DC, the DIPG DMG Research Funding Alliance (DDRFA), and the LiveBrave2gether family support network. Lisa is speaks nationally addressing audiences at prestigious events such as the White House Cancer Moonshot Summit and Congressional Briefings on brain cancer. On a local level, Lisa remains deeply involved in supporting childhood cancer families through Tough2gether, providing both emotional and financial assistance. Beyond her professional endeavors, Lisa finds joy in her family life, sharing her love with her husband, Roger Ward, and her children, Brooke and Blake Ward. She treasures every moment spent with her grandchildren, Asher and Grace. Lisa’s unwavering commitment to ending pediatric brain cancer stands as a testament to her courage and compassion. She consistently echos her son Jace in believing “We must make the circle bigger and urgently bring new treatments and cures. She hopes to inspire others to join her in the fight for a brighter future.