We want to ease this journey as much as possible by helping you understand the disease and navigate your options, and by making sure you are connected as quickly and easily as possible to the resources that can help you the most.

Daniela Ciccolini, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC, CPHON, graduated from Boston University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology before obtaining a Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. She began her career as a Nurse Practitioner in 2013 while completing a fellowship at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. While there, she cared for children suffering from Leukemia and Lymphoma and later patients with brain tumors. During her time at St. Jude Daniela found a passion for educating future nurse practitioners and was the recipient of the 2019 Preceptor of the Year award from the University of Tennessee’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program. She also was awarded numerous Ovation awards for patient care and nurse education.

Prior to joining ChadTough, Daniela worked at Boston Children’s Hospital as a Neuro-Oncology Nurse Practitioner, caring for children with cancer, including DIPG. Daniela is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Nursing at Northeastern University, and hopes to use her research to further the mission of ChadTough and improve care for children diagnosed with DIPG or DMG.

 

Alison has worked within the pediatric oncology field for the last 10 years. She graduated from Northeastern University in 2014 with a Bachelors of Science in Human Services and Criminal Justice. She has been involved with organizations such as Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area, Camp Okizu in Northern California, and Family House in San Francisco. After a career in fundraising for pediatric oncology organizations, she found that her true passion was in working directly with families. In 2022, she graduated with honors from University of Denver with a Masters in Social Work with a concentration in Health and Wellness. Most recently, Alison worked as the Solid Tumor Social Worker at Children’s Hospital Colorado, where she helped families navigate a variety of cancer diagnoses.

Lauren Kirages

Lauren McFall BSN, RN, had 8 years of experience in oncology prior to joining ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation. She graduated from Ball State University (Muncie, IN) in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science/Nursing degree. She is currently chemotherapy, biotherapy, BLS, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certified. In her career as a bedside nurse, she received a Red Shoe award, a DAISY award, a Team DAISY award, numerous other DAISY Award nominations, and three peer facility awards.

Lauren spent two years at Reid Hospital in Richmond, IN on a general oncology floor. Afterwards, she spent three years at Riley Children’s Hospital (Indianapolis, IN) as a charge nurse on the pediatric stem cell unit where she cared for and treated a multitude of pediatric cancers, including an array of different types of brain and spinal cord tumors in children. Lauren had practical experience with specific diagnoses at Riley Children’s that included low- and high-grade Gliomas, Astrocytoma, Ganglioglioma, atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid tumors (ARTR), primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET), Medulloblastoma, and germ cell tumors. During her time at Riley Children’s, she administered multiple chemotherapy and biotherapy agents and performed the stem cell transfusions and transplants on the unit. Lauren also spent three years at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital as a charge nurse and a clinical supervisor where she also saw an array of Pediatric cancer patients, administering multiple chemotherapies including trial therapies.

Ashley Rogers

Ashley Rogers CPNP-PC, MSN, BSN, RN has worked in pediatrics for 10 years. She began her career at Huntsville Hospital in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in nursing at the University of Alabama. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with her master’s degree in Pediatric Primary Care while working simultaneously as a Nurse Practitioner at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Affiliate Clinic.

In her most recent role at St. Jude, Ashley worked closely with children suffering blood disorders and cancer, including DIPG, to monitor conditions, progress and treatments. She worked extensively with patients and parents to educate them throughout their journey while helping to coordinate care with institutions across the nation.

Ashley was part of the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing in 2013 in recognition of excellence in scholarship and achievements in nursing through the University of Alabama. She was also the recipient of the Care Champion award in 2014 and 2015 in recognition of excellence in care by Huntsville Hospital.

Emily Rutt

Emily Rutt, CPNP-AC, MSN, RN, CHPPN, ACHPN, has more than 20 years of nursing experience in both adult and pediatric care. She has been involved in caring for children with cancer in a variety of capacities since starting her career in pediatric oncology in 2005. Continuing her education throughout her career, Emily earned a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania with a concentration in pediatric oncology. She pursued her interest in integrative medicine by earning a master’s degree in Integrative Health with a focus on nutrition and herbal medicine from Maryland University of Integrative Health. She also completed a certificate in Medical Cannabis Science to deepen her understanding of its potential benefits.

A significant portion of Emily’s career has been spent in hospice and palliative care. In her most recent role, she served as a Nurse Practitioner for the Quality of Life Team at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN.