Team Dawson- On Behalf of Dawson
Donation protected
One in a million.…. anyone who has met or spent time with Dawson Lentz knows that statement to be true. Unfortunately, that was also confirmed in the medical world this past week.
Nicole Hafner is Dawson’s Mom. We feel she is also one in a million. You will know her as a Mom, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a teacher, and the best friend you could find. However, the role we feel she fills the most is the one of advocate. She is an advocate. She has advocated for her family, friends, and her students. She is now advocating for her child. She has filled the role of supporter for so many people and with never an expectation of recognition in return. Her heart grows with every person she can help. We are now presented with an opportunity to show that same support to Dawson, Nikki and their whole family. If you are able to, please consider donating.
Daws is 13 years old. He loves his hockey, his family, his friends, his fishing and his dog! Dawson has been a picture of health. Growing and thriving and then things changed. Over recent months, Dawson started experiencing gagging, choking and vomiting when he would eat. It didn’t seem to matter what he ate, how quickly he ate or the size of what he ate. He continued to have an increasingly difficult time swallowing anything. This continued and the condition worsened. He is struggling to maintain a healthy weight. This disease has progressed at a rapid rate and Dawson is no longer able to eat without vomiting and chokes on every swallow.
Their family pursued medical treatment and have seen an ENT specialist, and were referred to a Pediatric Gastroenterologist in Fargo this week. Dawson’s resilience and strength were tested as he underwent an esophageal manometry fully awake and with no sedation. This procedure confirmed the original suspicion and Dawson was diagnosed with Achalasia-Type 11. This condition is rare and has no cure but does have surgical interventions that he will need to have for the rest of his life.
The best treatment option is a Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy. He was granted access to a Thoracic Surgeon at the Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC.
Dawson and his family will be travelling to Washington, within the next few weeks, to have this surgery. Fortunately, their insurance is covering the cost of this very expensive surgery. However, what is not covered is the large deductible, flights to and from Washington, hotels, meals and time from work for their family. This fund was created on their behalf, to help ease the financial worries for the family. The funds will continue to be used for the future medical expenses that will be inevitable for this diagnosis.
Thanks for your support,
Team Dawson
Nicole Hafner is Dawson’s Mom. We feel she is also one in a million. You will know her as a Mom, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a teacher, and the best friend you could find. However, the role we feel she fills the most is the one of advocate. She is an advocate. She has advocated for her family, friends, and her students. She is now advocating for her child. She has filled the role of supporter for so many people and with never an expectation of recognition in return. Her heart grows with every person she can help. We are now presented with an opportunity to show that same support to Dawson, Nikki and their whole family. If you are able to, please consider donating.
Daws is 13 years old. He loves his hockey, his family, his friends, his fishing and his dog! Dawson has been a picture of health. Growing and thriving and then things changed. Over recent months, Dawson started experiencing gagging, choking and vomiting when he would eat. It didn’t seem to matter what he ate, how quickly he ate or the size of what he ate. He continued to have an increasingly difficult time swallowing anything. This continued and the condition worsened. He is struggling to maintain a healthy weight. This disease has progressed at a rapid rate and Dawson is no longer able to eat without vomiting and chokes on every swallow.
Their family pursued medical treatment and have seen an ENT specialist, and were referred to a Pediatric Gastroenterologist in Fargo this week. Dawson’s resilience and strength were tested as he underwent an esophageal manometry fully awake and with no sedation. This procedure confirmed the original suspicion and Dawson was diagnosed with Achalasia-Type 11. This condition is rare and has no cure but does have surgical interventions that he will need to have for the rest of his life.
The best treatment option is a Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy. He was granted access to a Thoracic Surgeon at the Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC.
Dawson and his family will be travelling to Washington, within the next few weeks, to have this surgery. Fortunately, their insurance is covering the cost of this very expensive surgery. However, what is not covered is the large deductible, flights to and from Washington, hotels, meals and time from work for their family. This fund was created on their behalf, to help ease the financial worries for the family. The funds will continue to be used for the future medical expenses that will be inevitable for this diagnosis.
Thanks for your support,
Team Dawson
Fundraising team (2)
Nikki and Shane Hafner
Organizer
Bismarck, ND
Cathy Hooper
Team member
