An eight-year-old girl is living with Stage 4 diffuse midline glioma (DMG), an aggressive form of brain cancer. Her mother, Sabrena Beard, is sharing their story while caring for her daughter at home on hospice and asking people to pray for them.

It began with headaches. On January 1, Sabrena’s then-7-year-old daughter started experiencing headaches that would not go away. Medications brought no relief. Sabrena kept seeking answers. Eventually a scan revealed a brain tumor. Just seven days later—on January 8, the day before the girl’s 8th birthday—she underwent brain surgery. A follow-up procedure was needed soon afterward to drain fluid. The diagnosis that followed was cancer.

The family traveled to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis and spent months there while the child received radiation and other treatment. There was a moment of hope: on April 1 she rang the bell marking the end of that phase of therapy, and they were able to return home after roughly five months away. In May they were told the tumor appeared to be shrinking.

Then the situation changed rapidly. In July her condition declined. Further evaluation showed the cancer had spread. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 diffuse midline glioma and is now receiving hospice care.

“This pain is unbearable,” Sabrena has said. She has stopped working so she can stay home and care for her daughter through whatever time remains. Alongside the personal heartbreak, she wants other parents to hear a practical message: most headaches in children are ordinary, but when symptoms persist, change, or fail to respond as expected, keep asking questions and seeking further evaluation. Parents often sense when something is not right with their child. Sabrena continued searching until deeper investigation was done.

Diffuse midline glioma is a rare and aggressive pediatric brain tumor that is extremely difficult to treat. In the face of limited medical options, Sabrena is doing what she can: remaining beside her daughter, loving her, and asking for prayer—for comfort and freedom from pain for her child, and for strength for herself as she walks through something no parent should have to face.

Those who wish to support the family or keep them in their thoughts can find ways to help through the public fundraising efforts Sabrena has shared.

Sources

• Sabrena Beard’s GoFundMe campaign: “Help Sabrena’s Daughter Fight Brain Cancer” (updates describing the January diagnosis, surgery, St. Jude treatment, and later progression)
• Brinson Memorial Elementary PTA public update regarding Sandria Beard-Johnson (January 2026)
• Publicly available information on diffuse midline glioma (DMG) as a high-grade pediatric brain tumor