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Fundraiser held in Nanuet for 2-year-old Congers girl diagnosed with brain tumor

Dozens attended the cartwheel-a-thon at Tumble-Bee Gymnastics in Nanuet Wednesday morning to help 2-year-old Lily Dauksza, of Congers, who was recently diagnosed with a very rare and deadly brain tumor called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma or DIPG.

Diane Caruso

Dec 27, 2023, 11:22 PM

Updated 329 days ago

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A fundraiser held in Rockland went to support a local family whose daughter is fighting brain cancer.
Dozens attended the cartwheel-a-thon at Tumble-Bee Gymnastics in Nanuet Wednesday morning to help 2-year-old Lily Dauksza, of Congers, who was recently diagnosed with a very rare and deadly brain tumor called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma or DIPG.
Marie Wood, the owner, started this fundraiser to support Lily and her family.
Lily went to gymnastics classes there.
"Anything that comes in, is going right out directly to the family," said Wood.
She tells News 12 that 200 kids signed up for the two-day fundraising effort.
One child raised $1,000 alone.
"It is amazing to see the community come together this way, and really rally behind Lily, who deserves it so much," said Wood.
More than 600 cartwheels were done in two hours.
Lily did one with help from her mom.
“She's starting to respond well to the radiation and the treatments, which is just been amazing to get our daughter back,” said mom Tori Dauksza.
Dad, Rob Dauksza, said Lily was happy to be back at gymnastics, too.
Lily’s parents thanked everyone who has been there for them.
"It's been wonderful to see how many people care and are showing their support and their love,” said Tori. “It really helps us get through such a difficult time."
The fundraiser continues Thursday Dec. 28 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. 1pm to with Mets legend Dwight “Doc” Gooden expected to make an appearance at 2 p.m.
People should register ahead of time at the tumble-bee website.