Nonprofit grants Orlando trip to 2-year-old battling stage 4 brain cancer

Holiday surprise

FOX 5 NY's Richard Giacovas has the story.

ROCKLAND COUNTY - The founder of a small organization called Baking Memories 4 Kids granted a trip to Orlando for two-year-old Lily Dauksza – a brave 2-year-old fighting brain cancer in Rockland County – and her family.

Lily was a healthy and happy baby girl until last month, when her mom and dad were told she was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. Her tumor was inoperable, and she was given 6-9 months to live.

"It was very dramatic, very quick, and very scary," Lily's mother, Tori, said.

Sunday night at a park in their hometown of Congers, hundreds of friends and neighbors gathered for one big surprise – the Daukusza’s were getting an all-expenses paid trip to Orlando.

Hundreds of friends and neighbors gathered for the big surprise.

The $8,500 trip – including hotel, park tickets and meals – was gifted by Frank Squeo, the founder of the nonprofit.

The organization has given away trips to more than 280 families over the past 11 years.

Squeo is a brain cancer survivor himself who swore that if he survived his incurable disease, he would spend the rest of his life giving back.

"I just don’t want to say no to any families," Squeo said.

Lily was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. Her tumor was inoperable, and she was given 6-9 months to live.

He now spends endless days during the holiday season baking chocolate chip cookies with hundreds of volunteers. Every $25 box of cookies sold goes directly to pay for the cost of another trip for a child who’s ill.

"These families and these special kids, they know their destiny and they’re so joyful because they want to make each moment count," said volunteer, Jack Tarulli.

For the Dauksza’s, the upcoming trip is something to look forward to, but more important than the rides or princesses, is the time the four of them will get to spend together – time that is never promised.

Lily, her mom, dad and little brother leave next month for Orlando. The reason this trip is happening so fast is that they aren’t sure how long Lily has to live.