Zoey Catherine Daggett was a lively and healthy child, whose infectious personality won the hearts of all who met her. Her smiling face was enough to bring joy to everyone around her, even during the toughest times of her short life.
However, one day while playing at a playground in Fairport, New York, Zoey fell and started limping. Her parents, Casey and Ben, rushed her to the hospital, thinking she might have a fracture. Tragically, they received the devastating news that Zoey had DIPG, an aggressive and rare brain tumor that was inoperable.
When doctors told Zoey Catherine Daggett’s parents that children with DIPG are typically given between 6 and 18 months to live, Casey and Ben were devastated. “We didn’t know what to do or where to go. We were told it’s pretty much a death sentence,” Casey shared with the Daily Mail.
Despite the crushing news, Zoey’s parents were determined to make her last days as fun and memorable as possible. They spent every moment they could by her side, knowing that their time together was limited.
After being compelled to undergo several treatments, Zoey’s family discovered a hospital in Germany that provides radiation therapy for individuals with DIPG. They swiftly raised the necessary funds and took Zoey there, where she appeared to be responding well to the treatment. However, unexpectedly, her condition began to deteriorate further. Sadly, the delightful little girl who had brought so much happiness to numerous lives passed away on July 4, 2018.
Despite her initial hesitation, Casey, Zoey’s mom, made the decision to share numerous photos of her daughter on her Facebook page. Witnessing other parents who had lost their children do the same, Casey believed it was important to share her daughter’s story, even though she had intended to keep those cherished memories to herself. In an interview with Daily Mail, Casey expressed, “I shared it because even though it’s a painful moment, it’s a beautiful moment in our eyes. I had seen a handful of families sharing moments, and originally I didn’t think I was going to share it. But I thought: ‘I want a photo like that taken.’ I want those moments captured so I can remember them forever, even when my brain is gone.”
The photo Casey shared depicted her and her husband, their arms enveloping their precious daughter. On Zoey’s final day, they spent time together singing Disney songs and watching Harry Potter movies. However, amidst the film, Zoey’s little heart tragically ceased beating.
In order to share the love, hope, and light that Zoey brought into the lives of everyone around her, the family initiated a Facebook page called “Zoey’s Light.” Losing a child is one of life’s cruelest tragedies, and we can only imagine the immense pain that Zoey’s family must be enduring. We wish them strength and comfort, we know that no matter how much time passes by, the pain will never fade away.
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