How My Son’s Cancer Inspired Me To Help Patients and Caregivers


by Roberta Carson, Zaggo, on September 18, 2017

It’s hard to believe that tomorrow, September 19, 2017, marks the 10-year anniversary of the death of my son Zachary.

In June of 2005, Zachary, a previously healthy 17-year-old, was diagnosed with a DIPG, an inoperable, malignant brain tumor, with a survival rate of less than 2%. Our world crumbled when we learned Zach had 4–6 weeks to live. My husband and I are grateful Zach lived for 27 months, dying at age 19.

I could barely function, yet we had to make an important decision.

Roberta Carson

Roberta Carson

Founder and President of Zaggo, Inc.

Roberta Carson started Zaggo, a non-profit organization, to help patients and family caregivers manage illnesses and injuries, after her experience as caregiver for her teenage son Zachary during his 27-month battle with terminal brain cancer. Zaggo’s mission is to provide patients and families with the educational information, tools, and resources they need to become empowered, engaged, effective members of their medical teams for the best possible care.