Support Sammie and the Dacong Family
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First and foremost, thank you so much for taking the time to visit our GoFundMe page. This fundraiser is in support of Steve Dacong’s daughter Sammie and the family. As many of you know, Steve has been with the Aji family since the very beginning. He is one of our most dedicated and hard working employees and we have been so incredibly blessed to have him support us through the years.
Samantha, or Sammie, was originally diagnosed with CRMO, chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis, which causes abnormal inflammation in and around the bones. 8 years ago, she had also battled osteosarcoma which is a rare type of bone cancer that first appears in the cells that form bones. This diagnosis eventually led to amputation of Sammie’s right leg.
Fast forward to November of 2020, Sammie was feeling unwell for a couple of months with what the family thought was a sinus infection. After four rounds of antibiotics and no sign of improvement, Sammie woke one day with an intense migraine. She was also lethargic, pale, and her face was swelling. Sammie was immediately rushed to the emergency room. Because of her previous cancer diagnosis, the doctors were concerned something much more serious was in play. She had a biopsy two days later and results came back as positive, with a tumor found in her sinus, and chemo was started immediately.
Sammie now has a long road ahead of her to battle rhabdomyosarcoma, or RMS, which is a rare type of cancer that forms in soft tissue - specifically skeletal muscle tissue. She was cleared of cancer just as recently as August of 2020, so this tumor has come on quickly and is incredibly aggressive. Sammie will have 6 weeks of chemotherapy, as well as radiation at the 13 week mark to keep the tumors from spreading. Sammie’s treatment is expected to take as long as 54 weeks, with the possibility of surgery if her condition does not improve.
As of January 3rd, Sammie has had multiple scans to evaluate the treatments and see how her body is responding. The preliminary information, so far, shows no new disease and small reductions in the areas where she has tumors. She has maintained a very positive outlook while in treatment and just celebrated her 18th birthday this last Saturday, the 9th, with a drive-by birthday parade.
This fundraiser will be in support of the family and Sammie’s medical needs. With help from Aji, Sammie has been able to raise enough money to grant wishes for three other children in need. She is also an Honored Kid with St. Baldrick’s Foundation and has helped to raise over $50,000 for childhood cancer research.
Steve has been such a valued member of our team and we would like to support him during his time of need. We want these funds to be able to relieve even the littlest bit of stress, if possible, and give Steve the time to stay home with his family during this difficult time, for as long as he needs.
We love you Steve and the Dacong family! You got this, Sammie!
To follow more of Sammie’s recovery, please click here .
See how Sammie has supported others:
Sammie Raises Money to Make Other Dreams Come True
A Room Make Over for Iris
Samantha, or Sammie, was originally diagnosed with CRMO, chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis, which causes abnormal inflammation in and around the bones. 8 years ago, she had also battled osteosarcoma which is a rare type of bone cancer that first appears in the cells that form bones. This diagnosis eventually led to amputation of Sammie’s right leg.
Fast forward to November of 2020, Sammie was feeling unwell for a couple of months with what the family thought was a sinus infection. After four rounds of antibiotics and no sign of improvement, Sammie woke one day with an intense migraine. She was also lethargic, pale, and her face was swelling. Sammie was immediately rushed to the emergency room. Because of her previous cancer diagnosis, the doctors were concerned something much more serious was in play. She had a biopsy two days later and results came back as positive, with a tumor found in her sinus, and chemo was started immediately.
Sammie now has a long road ahead of her to battle rhabdomyosarcoma, or RMS, which is a rare type of cancer that forms in soft tissue - specifically skeletal muscle tissue. She was cleared of cancer just as recently as August of 2020, so this tumor has come on quickly and is incredibly aggressive. Sammie will have 6 weeks of chemotherapy, as well as radiation at the 13 week mark to keep the tumors from spreading. Sammie’s treatment is expected to take as long as 54 weeks, with the possibility of surgery if her condition does not improve.
As of January 3rd, Sammie has had multiple scans to evaluate the treatments and see how her body is responding. The preliminary information, so far, shows no new disease and small reductions in the areas where she has tumors. She has maintained a very positive outlook while in treatment and just celebrated her 18th birthday this last Saturday, the 9th, with a drive-by birthday parade.
This fundraiser will be in support of the family and Sammie’s medical needs. With help from Aji, Sammie has been able to raise enough money to grant wishes for three other children in need. She is also an Honored Kid with St. Baldrick’s Foundation and has helped to raise over $50,000 for childhood cancer research.
Steve has been such a valued member of our team and we would like to support him during his time of need. We want these funds to be able to relieve even the littlest bit of stress, if possible, and give Steve the time to stay home with his family during this difficult time, for as long as he needs.
We love you Steve and the Dacong family! You got this, Sammie!
To follow more of Sammie’s recovery, please click here .
See how Sammie has supported others:
Sammie Raises Money to Make Other Dreams Come True
A Room Make Over for Iris
Organizer
Aji Japanese Bistro
Organizer
El Dorado Hills, CA
