You can read below to see previously updated information about Dakota’s journey. He fought longer than anyone imagined possible…anyone but his family! In January he celebrated his 30th birthday, a milestone we then learned Drs never believed would happen.

His passing on Tuesday morning has left his immediate  family in an indescribable state of grief combined with a comfort in knowing that he is no longer in constant pain and frustration with being trapped in a body that no longer worked. 

There is no word in the English language defined by a parent who loses a child, simply because it shouldn’t happen. There is no amount of preparedness to help parents be okay with this reality. 

I’m recirculating this GoFundMe campaign to assist Dakota’s family with final expenses and preparation for a celebration of his life, to be held at the end of April.

If you’d like to donate here in his memory it’s greatly appreciated, or if you’d like to donate to the University of Michigan for medical research in his name, his family is honored by that as well.

Details of the Celebration of Life will be published soon.

Thank you friends. 

Previous Post from fall 2020: 

Dakota had 3 tumors removed from his brain during several surgeries in April. A surgery on the fourth tumor was deemed too dangerous. He has spent the last several months in rehab learning to walk and swallow again.

He recently completed 25 consecutive days of radiation in an attempt to shrink the remaining tumor.  He’s suffered greatly with unexpected side effects from the radiation.

Yesterday he stopped breathing and was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital where he was stabilized and put on a ventilator. He was air lifted to the U of M Hospital early this morning where they are monitoring and testing to make the best decisions for him.

As you might imagine, his family is doing whatever they need to do to get him the best medical help and to be with him. Our hope is to help ease their minds so they can fully focus on Dakota.  Every gift is greatly appreciated.