Ridgefield Girl's Cancer Battle Rallies Community

RIDGEFIELD, CT — With almost $30,000 raised in one day, residents are rallying behind a local girl suffering from a rare form of brain cancer. Brooke Blake, 8, is battling Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), which has a median survival time of nine months from the diagnosis.

According to a gofundme page for Brooke, she has experienced an extensive variety of treatments since her diagnosis Dec. 31, 2015. Brooke's family discovered a treatment facility in Monterrey, Mexico, which they say holds promise for her, but their insurance does not cover the treatments.

"We believe with all our heart that she will prevail and overcome this nightmare," reads the gofundme page."She has the will and the belief that she will have a long and happy life."

According to the Michael Mosier Foundation which works to find a cure for the disease, DIPG is a brain tumor found in the pons of the brain stem. The pons controls essential bodily functions.

DIPG affects children almost exclusively, and accounts for roughly 10 to 15 percent of all brain tumors in children, according to the foundation. Only 10 percent of children with DIPG survive for two years after diagnosis and less than one percent survive for five years.

Brooke is receiving intra-arterial treatment along with immunotherapy treatment in Mexico, where she returns every four weeks for treatment. According to the gofundme, she is doing well but the two treatments cost $16,000 each.

"It is never easy to ask for help, but we find that so many people care and feel that they want to help in any way they can," reads the page."

In just one day, Brooke's gofundme page has raised $28,955 of its $50,000 goal through 119 people. To view the page and donate, click here.

Image via gofundme