Zoey Catherine Daggett was born at 9:17pm on 10/17/2012. She passed away from a 2 year battle with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, DIPG, on July 4th 2018. On July 5th 2016 Zoey was playing chase with friends at a park and fell. When she got up we thought her leg was broken, it wasn't. After a week of being a "Pirate Peg Leg" her arm started to lose it's function as well. It was then that she was taken to the ED for a work up to see what was going on.
24 hours later her and her parents lives would be changed forever. We, her parents, were told Zoey has an inoperable brain tumor and her 2 year journey started from there. Over the course of 2 years Zoey had a brain biopsy, 4 separate rounds of radiation on her pons, 3 different rounds of chemotherapy, 5 rounds of immunotherapy, a few rounds of to help the chemo therapy, and consults with doctors from the UK, Germany, Mexico and all over the United States.
That's not what described Zoey, her medical journey, her spirit and heart is what described her. Zoey was a spunky, giggly, energetic, always wanted to sing child. Zoey would run down the hallways of whatever establishment she was in laughing her giggly laugh the entire way. She lit up the rooms with her joy. Zoey loved seeing people every day, from doctors, to teachers, to her care team, and especially her friends.
Zoey traveled to San Francisco, San Diego, Florida, DC, NYC, London, Paris, Amsterdam, and all over Germany. She wanted to see everything and with the help of so many people she was able to. When she asked to see the moon, we took her to the Smithsonian to touch it. When she wanted to go to the beach, we took her to San Diego to see the Pacific Ocean. She was the Fearless Girl even though to her, she was having just a normal 5 year old life.
On July 4th, she passed away in her parents arms, surrounded by her grandparents, her dog Juno, listening to her favorite Harry Potter movie. She was a firework and it is only fitting that she chose that day, the day there will always be a celebration and a light show in the sky, to leave us.
Zoey loved traveling so much, she always wanted to go back to Paris. So her father and mother spread some of her ashes at the base of the Eiffel Tower, in the flower bed, so she will always be there.
Zoey's Light was created because her parents knew, if they didn't do something to spark as much joy in others and she did then she would haunt them. She was a spunky firework of a child who loved so many, no matter who you were, she had to be honored this way. Because of Zoey, Zoey's Light exists and tries to bring joy and happiness to other kids in the area. We try to help families who need just a bit extra because their children are fighting something fierce and they need to be strong. If you ask anyone about Zoey, they will tell you she was an amazing, happy, smiling, little girl. She was rarely mad and always up for an adventure. Because of Zoey and her beautiful soul we keep her light shining bright.
