My story:
Hello everyone! My name is Dakota Neblock and I am currently 17 years old and in my junior year of high school at Prairie in Cedar Rapids. My story begins on March 9, 2006 during a routine 4 month checkup by my pediatrician. Feeling a mass in my abdomen she quickly ordered a CT scan and soon after I was diagnosed with a stage four aggressive cancer called Neuroblastoma.
I fought hard for about the first 7 years of my life and relapsed twice. I went through many rounds of aggressive chemo therapy and radiation, in the end having 6 major surgeries to remove tumors, and countless (around 30) bone marrow aspirations to check for cancer cells. I went through multiple clinical trials, including full body radiation that required my mom, dad, and anyone else in the room to be behind a lead shield because I was so radioactive (I was only 4 years old) and have over 30 scars on my body as a result of all of this.
Finally, in April of 2014 I was able to stop chemo and discontinue treatment for good. Now to this day I have stayed in remission and can say as of April I will be officially 9 years cancer free:)) Even though clinically I am off treatment, I still have countless treatment after effects that I deal with on a day to day basis and I check in with my oncology team every 6 months.
Children's Cancer Connection was introduced to my family while I was still in treatment at the University of Iowa and it has been an important part of our lives ever since!
Every year since 1988 Children's Cancer Connection has been dedicated to providing a week long residential camp for children diagnosed with cancer living or treated in the state of Iowa and also providing an identical week of camp for siblings of children diagnosed! This year is the first year back fully since pre-pandemic, and I am so thankful and excited for this year of camp. I truly believe Camp Heart Connection is one of the best experiences any kid with cancer or sibiling gets to have, as it gives amazing oppertunities to connect with others have gone through similar things, but also gives a chance to build friendships that will last a lifetime!
My very first year of camp was when I was 5 years old. Before then I had always refused to stay anywhere without my parents but as soon as I walked into my cabin, my eyes lit up and my parents could tell this would be different. That year I made many new best friends that am still very close with today. All of the people I have met at camp know exactly what I was going through because they were or are going through it as well! At camp, everyone is treated like we are all apart of one big family and having scars or other differences doesn't matter.
Besides the many people you get connected with at camp, Children's Cancer Connection also provides many amazing activities for the campers including games, horse back riding, zip lining, rock climbing, and more!
Camp is absolutley free for families and by donating, through my Campership Challenge page, you are helping ensure every camper can experience camp:))
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and please consider donating,
Kota:))
