“Dakota is a sweet 4-year-old boy who has a great smile and loves Sponge Bob Square pants.”
That is the description Anne Roop, from Little Scholars of Oxford, gives when describing one of the school’s youngsters who was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year.
“He is the most adorable child,” said Roop. “He is always happy.”
Dakota Unger lives in Lake Villa Manufactured Home Park with his grandmother Nancy and little brother Joey. He attended Little Scholars of Oxford until being diagnosed with the disease and having to undergo cancer treatments. Now the 4-year-old must avoid as much contact as possible with other children because of the possibility of infection.
In fact, Dakota had a bad turn this past weekend and was taken to Detroit’s Children’s Hospital with a high fever and low platelet count. As of press time on Wednesday, he was still in the hospital.
There is a spot of light though for this Oxford youth. Dakota’s little brother Joey, 3, is what’s known as a “match” and can help his big brother by being a bone marrow donor. The two are already scheduled for the operation in January and Dakato has been having chemotherapy sessions in preparation.
“He has already had one session of chemotherapy and he will be needing at least one more before the surgery,” confirmed Roop.
To assist the family with the financial hardships that will be accompanying the surgery and the after-care of the two children, Little Scholars of Oxford is hosting a spaghetti dinner and bake sale fund-raiser on Dakato’s behalf on Nov.2 from 1-6 p.m. The event will be held at the school located at 2750 N., Baldwin Rd., just south of Oakwood Rd.
“This is just so Nancy doesn’t have to worry about stuff afterwards,” said Roop. “All of the proceeds will go directly to carrying for the family.”
The dinner will include spaghetti, salad, bread sticks, desert and drinks. A $7 donation is suggested. The evening will include a 50/50 raffle and silent auction for items such as movie tickets, dinners, golf outings and manicures.
“They really need any help they can get right now,” added Roop. “This is not going to be an easy time for them.”
Monetary donations are also being accepted and can be sent to the Dakota Fund, P.O. Box 350, Oxford, Mich., 48371. Please make checks payable to Little Scholars of Oxford – Dakota Fund.
For more information, please call Roop at 248-628-9693, Kim Novack at 248-969-0518 or the Little Scholars of Oxford at 248-969-9221.