May News- We go GRAY in MAY    

Did you know that May is brain tumor awareness month?

• Brain tumors are the deadliest form of childhood cancer
• Brain and central nervous system tumors are the most common form of pediatric cancer in kids under 15
• 100+ different types and subtypes of pediatric brain tumors exist
• Most causes of pediatric brain tumors are unknown
• 4,600 kids will be diagnosed with a brain tumor this year

All kids diagnosed with a brain tumor deserve a 100% survival rate! We will go gray in May for our sweet Reid, who deserved so much more than this.  We go gray for all kids who battle brain tumors and the terrible side effects their treatment and disease cause.

Family Spotlight:
The Boyd Dahlin Family
In honor of brain tumor awareness month, we chose to highlight a brain tumor warrior, Boyd! Karla, Boyd’s mom, shared Boyd’s story with us this month.

In April 2018 Boyd started vomiting every morning when he woke up. We took him to the pediatrician and found out he had a bad ear infection. They associated the vomiting to the ear infection causing him to be nauseous. This continued for 2 weeks with every few days going back to the doctor and trying different medications. The vomiting finally stopped and we went on a family trip to Disney World! The morning we were flying home, Boyd woke up and vomited. Upon returning home we took him back into the pediatrician and his ear infection wasn’t quite gone. After another round of antibiotics was completed the vomiting was gone again.

On his birthday (May 24), Boyd had his 2 year well-child check up and the pediatrician ordered a CT scan, because the ear infection and vomiting lasted so long she wanted to make sure nothing else was going on. The scan was done on May 29th and found a mass. We were immediately transferred to ER where a team was waiting to prep Boyd for sedation for an MRI. The MRI confirmed the mass and also showed fluid on the brain, which is what is causing the vomiting. We were told he would be taken in for surgery that night to remove the tumor. The surgeon reviewed the MRI images and decided to wait until morning for surgery. Boyd was admitted to the PICU and placed on anti seizure meds to try and prevent him from having a seizure due to the pressure and fluid on his brain. May 30th Boyd went in for surgery. The surgeon was able to fully remove the tumor from Boyd’s brainstem. After an 8 day hospital stay, Boyd was sent home while we still awaited biopsy results.

June 12, 2018 we went to see an oncologist and it was confirmed that Boyd had Grade 3 Anaplastic Ependymoma. Due to his age, type of cancer and location of the tumor Boyd was sent on from our local children’s hospital in Des Moines to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Boyd then underwent 33 rounds of proton beam radiation.  Five days a week for nearly 7 weeks straight, Boyd was sedated for radiation treatment every morning. Boyd handled treatment fairly well, only struggled with low iron levels from lack of appetite from radiation. We were told he would have less energy and probably still take an afternoon nap. Not Boyd! He was far too busy to let cancer treatment slow him down! Boyd’s final treatment was on August 23, 2018.

Boyd is currently going in every 4 months for an MRI to check for signs of a recurrence, as well as check ups with an endocrinologist and oncologist. So far Boyd shows no sign of any deficits from surgery or radiation. He will turn 5 this month and is a typical boy full of energy and mischief. He loves Disney World and telling about his Make-A-Wish trip he got to go on in February 2020 (right before Covid and the world shutting down). He loves playing all sports, but his favorite is basketball. Boyd is always trying to keep up and impress his older brother and always loving on and looking out for his little sister. He loves chocolate and snacks, and is usually trying to sneak candy/snacks up to his room to eat later or shuts himself in the pantry hoping he won’t get caught snacking. Boyd is high energy from the moment he wakes up in the morning until long after he’s been put to bed at night. Boyd always has something to say! He is full of stories, loves to sing songs, and likes to make up jokes!

We are so glad Boyd remains cancer free and has such a wonderful family to support him!

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NEXT UP:  SAVE THE DATES!
RALLY FOR REID FOOTBALL CAMP
Hosted by Former Iowa Hawkeyes & Current NFL players

Come have some fun and be coached by some former Iowa Hawkeye players! Our Rally for Reid Football camp will be held June 27, 2021 in Davenport, Iowa at St. Vincent’s Athletic Complex. Registration is be open to grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8.  All proceeds benefit the Rally for Reid Foundation.  REGISTER HERE

Sponsorship opportunities are available as well

Check out our 2021 Coach lineup! 

Jake Gervase– Former Iowa Hawkeye safety & Current LA Ram
Ben Neimann-Former Iowa Hawkeye linebacker & Current KC Chief, Superbowl Champ 2019
Tristan Wirfs– Former Iowa Hawkeye offensive lineman & Current Tampa Bay Buccaneer, Superbowl Champ 2020
Josey Jewell– Former Iowa Hawkeye linebacker & Current Denver Bronco
Parker Hesse– Former Iowa Hawkeye defensive lineman & Current Tennessee Titan
Nate Stanley– Former Iowa Hawkeye Quarterback & Current Minnesota Viking
Nick Easley– Former Iowa Receiver & Former Buffalo Bill
Keith Duncan– Former Iowa Kicker & Current NFL Draft Prospect
Nick Neimann– Former Iowa Linebacker & Current NFL Draft Prospect

NEXT UP:
RALLY FOR REID GOLF OUTING-JULY 16th!
We’ve got 36 teams signed up and are officially FULL! Sponsorships are still available. Looking forward to a fun day of golf & raising money for pediatric cancer!

Reid’s 6th birthday
THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU WHO PARTICIPATED IN REID’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION! IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY SPREADING KINDNESS FOR OUR SWEET BOY! <3 We are so appreciative of your support.

Sending love,
Megan & The Rally for Reid Team