Dakota was born with Neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic disorder of the nervous system that causes tumors to grow on the nerves.  The first sign of NF is multiple light brown birthmarks called Cafe Au Lait spots. At 4 months old Dakota was sent to a geneticist and tests were ran, and at 9 months the results confirmed that Dakota did have NF.  When dakota was two years old a tumor was discovered on her optic nerve in her brain, this tumor was considered stable until 2012 when Dakota started to lose vision in her right eye.  As a way to re-stabilize the tumors Dakota underwent 16 rounds of chemo therapy.  She had an allergic reaction to the chemo so she was given a break from treatment. It was then that doctors confirmed her tumors were stable again so chemo was no longer necessary.

Dakota and her family are involved with the Children’s Tumor Foundation and look forward to their annual NF family forums.  Families who participate are given the chance to meet other families faced with NF and learn from each others experiences.  Dakota’s mom April has lobbied for NF and become active in the NF community on her daughters behalf.

Dakota is now 7 years old and an energetic 2nd grader.  She enjoys golf with her dad, gymnastics once a week, and loves her after school cheer class.  Dakota is very excited and looking forward to taking a trip with her mom to a Taylor Swift concert in Ohio at the end of this month.  Dakota is an all around joy!

It is our pleasure to introduce Sweet Dakota!

Photography by Brittany Wilbur

Music licensed by SongFreedom  |  Kathryn Ostenberg : Light Me Up