Our Warriors Who Inspire Us

Dinsio was a beautiful, exuberant, and smart 22-year-old. She was a student at Temple University, studying Communications and Geographic Information Systems. She loved her family, friends, music, arts, traveling, and delicious food. She spent summers as a camp counselor at her local YMCA and loved giving back. She possessed an innate ability to adapt and thrive in any situation. She was a firm believer in equality for all and an avid activist involved in social justice issues such as refugee aid and sexual assault. Those who knew her were quick to describe her as “fearless” and “effervescent.”

After returning from a year of study abroad in Rome, Italy, Dinsio suddenly began experiencing headaches, a tingling sensation in her feet, arms, and legs, and a loss of balance, which prompted a visit to her doctor. She had a gut feeling that the cause of her symptoms was a brain tumor and, unfortunately, she was right. Dinsio was diagnosed with DIPG, a highly aggressive and inoperable brain tumor. She was committed to her treatment plan and always kept a positive outlook, even when her prognosis became more and more dire. After diagnosis, Dinsio did her best to keep up with the activities she loved, but her illness made it incredibly difficult as time passed.

Dinsio lost her courageous 16-month battle with DIPG on November 28, 2019, at the age of 22. She accomplished so much in her short life, and the impact she left behind will never be forgotten. In May 2020, Temple University awarded Dinsio a posthumous bachelor’s degree for her academic and exemplary advocacy efforts.

One of Dinsio’s last wishes was for her family to help raise funds for pediatric brain cancer research so a cure for DIPG can be found, and they have not let her down. They picked up her torch and are helping to light the path to the cure.