A local tattoo shop will be hosting a charitable fundraiser next month for 7-month old Dakota Ann Almeida, who was recently diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
“When I saw that Dakota was diagnosed with leukemia, my heart broke,” said Amanda Roberts, owner of Tell-Tale Art Studios in Telford. “Her mother and I worked together at Hatfield Athletic Club years ago. We hit it off, we were inseparable for a time and did everything together.”
Roberts, who personally donated $200 to the cause, said she was looking for ways to do more, and thought a fundraiser at her shop would be the best course of action. The event is currently scheduled for Aug. 17 from noon to 8 p.m., and will feature flash specials, donations, raffles, bracelets and more, with all proceeds going to the Almeida family.
“I feel for them,” said Roberts. “I thought this would be a good way to do my part, being her friend, and hopefully it will help them out.”
That act of kindness was well received by Dakota’s mother, Shari Ann Almeida, who expressed both praise and appreciation when she learned of the fundraiser that her friend had planned for her family.
“I’ve known Amanda for almost 15 years,” said Almeida. “She’s always been an incredibly genuine, kind-hearted person. She is an absolutely beautiful soul, and we are beyond grateful for her support.”
For more information on the tattoo fundraiser, click here.
Diagnosis Upends the Almeida’s World
According to Almeida—who grew up in North Wales but now resides in Palmerton—Dakota is finishing up her second phase of chemotherapy, with each phase being roughly 35 days in length. Assuming all goes to plan, total treatment time is about 18 months, with Dakota having four-to-seven day breaks in-between treatment phases, according to Almeida.
“When it comes to being a fighter, Dakota got that from her mother,” Roberts added. “She’s always been a fighter, and unfortunately now her daughter has to be one too.”
Currently, Dakota’s bone marrow is showing no cancer cells, and the overall prognosis is typically a 70-to-85-percent survival rate, according to Almeida. Following the scheduled treatments, Dakota will not be considered cured until after her fifth birthday, Almeida said.
“[Her father, Kodi,] and I live at the hospital,” said Almeida, who shaved her head in support of her daughter. “We don't ever leave unless it's to go home. I leave the room sometimes to go for a walk, but I never leave her. My husband still works, but comes back here to the hospital at night to sleep in the same room as us.”
Almeida said she has not been back to work since the ordeal began. She is currently on a 12-week Family Medical Leave from her job, but that is nearing an end and she plans to officially resign in the next few weeks in order to continue to stand by her daughter’s side.
As a result, the family has lost their home, and they currently split time between the hospital and Almeida’s parents’ house.
“We are doing the best we can to stay strong for Dakota,” said Almeida. “Our main focus is saving her life. Right now, nothing else matters.”
Local Community Responds
Roberts is not alone in her desire to aid the Almeida family during their time in need. In addition to the fundraiser in August, there is an ongoing GoFundMe page that has generated more than $20,000 in donations so far, and another large fundraiser planned for Sept. 22 at the Talamore Country Club in Ambler. (click here for tickets)
“The amount of love and support that has surrounded us is overwhelming to say the least,” said Almeida. “People are so very kind and generous. Knowing that so many people are standing in our corner really helps us get through the darkness. There are no words to express our gratitude.”
Additional fundraisers are also in the works, though details are currently being worked out. Almeida said that as soon as they become official, she’ll make them public.
“The more people we have standing with us, the better chance we have at saving our girl,” said Almeida.
Donations can be made to the Almeida family via GoFundMe by clicking here. You can also follow along with Dakota’s treatment via Dakota Ann’s Fight on Facebook.
(Editor’s note: Shari Ann Almeida has graciously offered to write a weekly column for North Penn Now, documenting Dakota’s recovery. That column will debut later this week.)
See also:
Local Comedian Overwhelmed By Support Following Cancer Diagnosis
Local Bar To Hold Fundraiser For Heart Transplant Patient
Local Family Helps Raise $70,000 For PANDAS Research
Community Rallies To Aid Local Family In Need
Zumbathon Raises $1k For Local Cancer Patient's Wedding
