Maya’s Legacy

Courage Beyond Measure

Maya Dronca's battle with brain cancer was a journey of unimaginable courage and strength. Diagnosed with bithalamic astrocytoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer, Maya faced her illness with grace and determination. Despite the median survival time for DIPG being just nine months, Maya's indomitable spirit allowed her to fight for 14 months. Her bravery and resilience continue to inspire us every day.

Her Legacy In Action

In honor of Maya's incredible spirit, the Maya Dronca Foundation was established to continue her legacy of helping others. Our mission is to advance childhood cancer research by supporting brilliant scientists committed to bold and innovative ideas that can transform the fight against this devastating disease. We are dedicated to funding research that aims to find cures for various forms of childhood cancer, not just DIPG.

The Reality of Pediatric Brain Cancer

Pediatric high-grade gliomas are among the deadliest childhood cancers. Despite advances in medicine, survival rates remain tragically low, and many tumors lack effective targeted treatments. Childhood brain cancers are biologically distinct from adult cancers, requiring specialized research and innovative approaches. These are not abstract statistics, they represent children, families, and futures interrupted.

Medicine Did Not Yet Have the Tools

Maya received the best care available. She was surrounded by extraordinary doctors, cutting-edge medicine, and relentless love. But even the most advanced therapies could not change the biology of her tumor. Her cancer was aggressive, resistant, and not yet matched to a treatment that could save her. This was not a failure of care — it was a reminder that science has not yet caught up to the bravery of children like Maya.

Why this Foundation Exists

We cannot change Maya’s outcome. But we can fight for the children who are diagnosed tomorrow. The Maya Dronca Foundation exists to turn heartbreak into hope, to fund bold research, to support scientists who refuse to accept the current limits, and to push this field forward with urgency and compassion. Maya dreamed of becoming an oncologist to help others. Through this foundation, her light continues to guide us, reminding us that love can become action, and action can change the future.

Maya’s Legacy

Cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease among children, with over 10,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the United States alone. Many pediatric cancers are more aggressive and challenging to treat than their adult counterparts, and the causes of most childhood cancers remain unknown.

While there has been progress in treating some types of childhood cancer, many still lack effective treatments and remain underfunded.

Maya's dream was to become a doctor, specifically an oncologist, to help those battling cancer. Though she was with us for only a short time, her strength, compassion, and love have left a lasting impact. Through the foundation, we aim to raise awareness and funds in her memory to support meaningful research and help find cures for childhood cancers. We are committed to ensuring that the researchers we fund are held accountable for their results and the impact of their studies.

Maya, we will keep your light shining and continue your legacy by helping others. Your spirit inspires us to fight for a future where no child has to suffer from cancer. We are proud of you, and we will always carry your love and determination in our hearts.

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