Please Don't Let Daylen Fight Alone

Hello, my name Ami Bunch and I come to you with a heavy heart, but also one full of hope. I am writing this on behalf of some of my very best friends because they are a part of my village (have been for twenty-some years) and they need our help. As you might imagine, were you in their shoes, they have never, ever wished to burden others by asking for help in this manner (and were even hesitant to let ME do so.) Thankfully, they finally agreed.

Back in 2003, I had the privilege of teaching kindergarten to a sweet young man named Daylen Mikkelson. As most kindergarteners go, he was energetic, curious, full of life and said all sorts of hilarious 5 year old things! Daylen is now 23 years old and has been courageously fighting a rare form of brain cancer called DIPG since he was unexpectedly diagnosed in 2019.

DIPG is short for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma and essentially describes a brain tumor that resides in the brainstem. Because of its location in the brainstem, it is inoperable. DIPG primarily affects children, with most diagnoses occurring between ages 5 and 7 but, as in Daylen's case, it can affect all ages. Unfortunately, fewer than 10% of children survive two years from diagnosis.

Daylen's stepmom, Nicole; his dad, Eric and his mom, TJ are some of my very best friends. Shouldering this burden while simultaneously putting on a positive front for their son has been hard, to say the least. But when you're a parent, it's just what you do.

Daylen has been through so much for someone who should currently be living some of the best years of his life. Instead, he spent the past year going through chemo and radiation. To the surprise of many, he was doing great and responding positively! At the end of April 2021 however, that changed.

His cancer has spread to the cerebellum.

Essentially, this means his level of care has increased exponentially and they have now had to start hiring people to help manage his comfort and care. His family has already had to endure so many medical bills in order to give Daylen the best chance at a long life and as such, the bills are simply piling up. I don't know about you, but I feel angst when the annual termite renewal bill shows up unexpectedly or the dishwasher suddenly stops working and needs to be repaired, which puts into perspective that they are currently shouldering those same everyday things, WHILE doing everything in their power to fight for their most precious son, Daylen. The truth is, no parent wants to let their child down and call me crazy, but I don't think they should have to.

So, here we are.

The need is urgent. Any funds raised will be used to pay medical bills, pay for palliative care and purchase any necessary equipment to help him stay comfortable. Should any funds be left over, they will be donated to DIPG research.

I am just one person. I cannot do it alone. But I know there is a much greater village out there who will feel this cry for help. I am a firm believer that many small acts of kindness can create big change in the world and it is my sincere hope that together, we can change Daylen's.